Community and living news
Olympic competition for Sandwell schools
Published on 18th May 2012
The finishing line is in sight for Sandwell students looking to take part in an Olympic competition.
Forum meeting for Great Bridge
Published on 18th May 2012
People in the Great Bridge area of Sandwell can raise any crime, anti-social behaviour or environmental concerns at a forthcoming neighbourhood forum meeting.
'Blind Dave' announced as Olympic torchbearer
Published on 14th May 2012
Charity marathon hero and Sandwell's newest freeman Blind Dave Heeley is to carry the Olympic Torch.
Sandwell's young STARs receive awards
Published on 2nd May 2012
Sandwell’s talented young people were recognised for their achievements in a special awards ceremony.
Ron's St George's Day pride at Olympic Torch honour
Published on 23rd April 2012
A patriotic Sandwell marathon runner is flying the flag of St George with pride after being chosen to carry the Olympic Torch.
100 days to Olympic Games - more Sandwell torchbearers unveiled
Published on 18th April 2012
Sandwell has marked 100 days to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games by unveiling two more torchbearers from the borough.
Road closures for Vaisakhi procession
Published on 17th April 2012
Drivers are being warned to expect possible delays when a procession takes place in Smethwick.
London 2012 call-up for Sandwell weightlifting coach
Published on 17th April 2012
Sandwell is celebrating an Olympic call-up to a top job for local weightlifting coach Sam Hayer.
St George's Day concert to raise funds for children's musical instruments
Published on 13th April 2012
A St George's Day singalong is being held in Cradley Heath to help buy musical instruments for a local special school.
St George's Day celebration at Manor House
Published on 13th April 2012
Sandwell's medieval Manor House Museum will be playing host to a traditional St George's Day celebration with music, dancing, falconry and craft activities.
Council offers to help buy torchbearers' Olympic torches
Published on 26th March 2012
Sandwell Council has offered to help out any Olympic torchbearers from the borough if they are told they have to pay to keep their torch as a souvenir.
Olympic Torch streets and torchbearers in Sandwell announced
Published on 19th March 2012
The streets in Sandwell through which the Olympic Torch will be carried this summer are announced today (Monday 19 March).
Angling trips for older residents boosted by local budget
Published on 23rd February 2012
Members of West Bromwich Senior Citizens Angling Society have been on a series of special trips - after 'hooking' a special grant from the council.
Communities urged to bid for £1 million cash fund
Published on 23rd February 2012
Groups and organisations in Sandwell can now apply for cash for community projects under a new scheme worth more than £1 million for Sandwell over the next four years.
Postal voters' plea
Published on 8th February 2012
Thousands of people in Sandwell with postal votes are being urged to provide elections chiefs with up-to-date signatures.
Sandwell joins together to remember the Holocaust
Published on 25th January 2012
Over 1,500 people are to join together for events in Sandwell this week to remember victims of the Holocaust.
Oldbury crime fighters to face the people
Published on 6th January 2012
Residents across Oldbury have the chance to hear about crime-fighting results and raise any community concerns at local neighbourhood meetings this month.
New year, new start for young people
Published on 5th January 2012
Young people across Sandwell are being offered a chance to find out about the opportunities open to them this year.
Youth work leads to fall in anti-social behaviour
Published on 23rd December 2011
Youth work targeted at a number of parks and neighbourhoods in Sandwell over the summer holidays led to anti-social behaviour reports falling nearly 50 per cent, according to figures released today.
Success for Bearwood on Ice - three days still to go!
Published on 22nd December 2011
Sandwell's Bearwood on Ice outdoor skating spectacle is proving to be one of the borough's top attractions of the year with over 12,000 visitors in just five days.
Olympic Torch and Mela celebrations to make unforgettable weekend
Published on 21st December 2011
Next Summer, over 100,000 people are set to join in community celebrations as the arrival of the Olympic Torch will be marked simultaneously alongside the Birmingham & Sandwell Mela.
Christmas at Holyhead Primary
Published on 29th November 2011
Holyhead Primary School in Wednesbury is getting in the Christmas spirit with a series of events
Christmas lights switch-on for Oldbury
Published on 29th November 2011
Santa, carol singers and a brass band will be bringing festive cheer to Oldbury on Friday (2 December) for the switching on of the Christmas lights.
Christmas party brings festive cheer for Charlemont
Published on 28th November 2011
Father Christmas is heading to Charlemont in West Bromwich for a children's party organised by the local community.
Seb Coe in Sandwell to launch Olympic schools project
Published on 22nd November 2011
Schools across Sandwell are getting set to go global for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by supporting a team from around the world.
Langley Christmas switch on
Published on 22nd November 2011
Langley will be turning on the Christmas lights on Saturday (26 November) - and everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.
Christmas cheer in Blackheath - and raising money for charity
Published on 22nd November 2011
Christmas lights will be officially switched on in Blackheath town centre tonight (25 November).
Wednesbury Christmas lights event
Published on 15th November 2011
Sandwell Mayor Councillor Joyce Underhill will officially switch on the Christmas festive lights in Wednesbury next week.
Christmas lights switch-on for Friar Park
Published on 15th November 2011
Residents in Friar Park in Wednesbury are being invited to get into the Christmas spirit at the official festive lights switch-on this Friday (November 18).
Actress Josie at Christmas lights switch-on
Published on 10th November 2011
Actress Josie Lawrence will be making a guest appearance at the switching on of the Old Hill Christmas lights on Saturday 26 November.
Lord Coe and David Moorcroft on Sandwell being on Olympic Torch Relay route
Published on 7th November 2011
Sporting heroes Sebastian Coe and David Moorcroft today welcomed the news that the Olympic Torch Relay will be coming to Sandwell next year.
Sandwell on 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route
Published on 7th November 2011
Thousands of Sandwell people will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Olympic Flame carried through the borough next year on its way to the London 2012 Games, it was announced today (Monday 7 November).
Mild weather fools Bearwood In Bloom
Published on 13th October 2011
Bearwood High Street is still looking "blooming" good thanks to the mild Autumn weather.
Have your say on hospital care
Published on 5th October 2011
Now is your chance to speak out if you have had a stay in hospital.
Come along to West Bromwich town street festivals
Published on 23rd September 2011
Come along tomorrow (Saturday, September 24) to the first of two street festivals we're organising in West Bromwich town centre.
Young people from West Bromwich raise cash for East Africa
Published on 9th September 2011
Young people from the Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell supported by Sandwell young people's services have now raised £4,200 for Islamic Relief to aid famine victims in Somalia.
Council wardens in street drinking crackdown success
Published on 8th September 2011
Council wardens are cracking down on street drinking in Sandwell - seizing booze nearly 500 times in a year.
West Bromwich to hold two minutes silence to show respect for riot victims
Published on 17th August 2011
West Bromwich town centre retailers and traders are planning a two minute silence on Friday 19 August at 11am as a mark of respect to the victims of the disorder in Birmingham last week.
Save the date - Sandwell Community Show
Published on 15th July 2011
Sandwell Community Show organisers are preparing for crowds of up to 40,000 visitors for this year's August Bank Holiday extravaganza in Sandwell Valley Country Park.
Park fun day raises cash for Mayor's charities
Published on 15th July 2011
Volunteers raised money for the Mayor's charities at a community fun day in Tipton.
Victoria Park community fun day - and Big Spring Clean!
Published on 8th July 2011
Victoria Park in Tipton will be buzzing this Sunday (10 July) with an action-packed community fun day for all the family - and a Big Spring Clean event.
'My Council' roadshows coming to a town near you
Published on 24th June 2011
Sandwell residents can get useful information about council services at a series of roadshows taking place this Summer.
Sandwell marks Armed Forces Day
Published on 22nd June 2011
Sandwell is marking Armed Forces Day this weekend with people showing their support for serving and retired service men and women.
Fun in the sun at Haden Hill Park
Published on 22nd June 2011
Families are invited to a day of fun and fitness at Haden Hill Park.
Council leader nominates Blind Dave to carry Olympic torch
Published on 16th June 2011
The leader of Sandwell Council is launching a campaign to make local hero Blind Dave Heeley an Olympic torch bearer in 2012.
Fifth anniversary for Hawthorn Fields housing project
Published on 9th June 2011
Riverside have marked their fifth anniversary working in partnership with Sandwell Council on the multi-million pound Hawthorn Fields Private Finance Initiative in West Bromwich.
Bernard celebrates 100th birthday
Published on 8th June 2011
Mr Bernard Rogers of Hawthorn Fields Estate in West Bromwich celebrated his 100th birthday with family, friends and staff from local housing association Riverside.
Sandwell regular aims to hit the high notes at Britain's Got Talent
Published on 3rd June 2011
A special Sandwell star is set to storm Britain's Got Talent tomorrow night (Saturday) - so come on Sandwell - Vote Jean!
Family fun day in Tipton - June 3
Published on 27th May 2011
Families are invited to mark the end of the school holidays with a fun day at Tipton Sports Academy on Friday, June 3.
Brass Monkey youth fundraiser
Published on 29th March 2011
Young people from Coneygre Youth Arts Centre's Brass Monkey project are holding a fundraiser on Saturday (2 April).
Honest council staff hand back cash
Published on 7th February 2011
A trio of Sandwell Council staff have won praise for their attempts to reunite a lost handbag containing cash and bank books with its rightful owner.