Autumn Edition September 2025 |
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Hello and Welcome to the September Edition of the Sandwell Air Quality Quarterly Newsletter!
In this issue, we share updates, stories and highlights from our recent work to improve air quality in Sandwell. Inside, you’ll find: Guidance on bonfire safety in Sandwell Clean Air Day highlights A special visit from the Mayor of the West Midlands to Corngreaves Academy Winners of Auntie Duck Poster Design Competition Auntie Duck’s delightful summer adventures Active Travel updates and initiatives …and lots more
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Could you spare 10 minutes? - Draft Air Quality Action Plan 2025 -2030 Consultation |
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| Air pollution is one of today’s biggest public health challenges, affecting everyone, especially children. It can worsen heart and lung conditions, affect pregnancy, and harm cognitive health. Sandwell Council has drafted an Air Quality Action Plan (2025 to 2030) with measures to protect children’s health, support sustainable travel, and make Sandwell cleaner and healthier |
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Bonfires, Smoke and Your Health: What You Need to Know This Autumn |
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As the season shifts, people light bonfires to dispose of garden waste or celebrate seasonal events like Bonfire Night. But while they may seem harmless, bonfires can have serious effects on people’s health, and in some cases, lighting them may break the law. |
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Bonfire Smoke: What’s the Risk |
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Bonfire Smoke and the Law |
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| Bonfire smoke contains tiny particles and harmful chemicals that can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs. It may be life-threatening for people with asthma, COPD, heart conditions, children, and older adults. Even short-term exposure can trigger serious breathing problems or asthma attacks.
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Smoke drifting onto roads is dangerous, and if it affects neighbours it can be classed as a statutory nuisance under the law, which can lead to fines of up to £5,000. It’s also illegal to burn household waste like plastics or painted wood, which release toxic fumes harmful to health and the environment.
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| Sharp Rise in Smoke Complaints Over the Summer
This summer saw a very significant and worrying increase in the number of smoke complaints compared with the same period last year. In June, the number of complaints doubled compared with last year, and in July they were more than ten times higher. Residents have told us they are increasingly concerned about the impact of smoke from garden bonfires, outdoor burning and other sources on local air quality and health. These figures show how important it is that we all play our part in reducing smoke nuisance and protecting the air we share. |
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Asthma Awareness: Stay Safe During Diwali and Bonfire Night
Seasonal celebrations like Diwali and Bonfire Night bring joy and colour to our communities, but they can also lead to a sharp rise in air pollution. Fireworks release ultra-fine particles often containing toxic metals which can aggravate lung conditions such as asthma and COPD.
When combined with bonfire smoke, these pollutants may also affect people with heart conditions. Studies show that particles can spike up to eight times the normal amount in the hours following fireworks displays. If you or someone close to you has asthma, it’s important to take extra precautions during these festivities.
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| Top Tips to Stay Safe:  Keep your reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you at all times
Let friends or family know what to do if your symptoms get worse Save your asthma action plan on your phone for quick access Stay back from bonfires and avoid standing downwind Cold air can trigger symptoms, wear a scarf to cover your nose and mouth to warm the air you breathe If fireworks have triggered your asthma before, consider staying indoors Keep windows and doors shut from early evening until morning |
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| A VIP Visit for Clean Air Day: Mayor of the West Midlands at Corngreaves Academy |
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| In the last edition of our newsletter, we hinted at a special guest appearance, and now we’re excited to reveal that Corngreaves Academy welcomed Mr Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, on Clean Air Day!
The school was buzzing with excitement as the Mayor stepped in to read the Auntie Duck storybook, our clean air champion, to the pupils. He brought the story to life, sparking conversations about air pollution and the simple actions we can all take to help keep our air clean. The pupils asked questions, some insightful, others quite hilarious, filling the room with laughter and making for a joyful and memorable afternoon.
During his visit, the Mayor announced an exciting new education programme that will involve thousands of schoolchildren in helping to improve air quality in their own communities.
It was such a truly inspiring and exciting day!
Read the press release |
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Corngreaves Academy Crowned Winner of the Auntie Duck Poster Design Competition! |
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As part of our Clean Air Day celebrations, we ran a special Auntie Duck Poster Design Competition and the creativity on display was truly inspiring. Seven primary schools across Sandwell took part, submitting almost 200, imaginative and thoughtful entries. While we had originally planned to choose just one winner, the quality of the entries made it impossible to pick only one, so we decided to award second and third places as well. |
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| We are delighted to share that Corngreaves Academy took first place, with two of their talented pupils claiming first and third positions. Second place went to a brilliant entry from Harvills Hawthorn Primary School. It was a delightful coincidence that the school visited by the Mayor on Clean Air Day also won the competition! |
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To make the day even more special, the Mayor gave us the honour of personally presenting the Auntie Duck certificates to the winners, creating a truly memorable moment for everyone. |
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The winning design has now been brought to life on a large banner proudly displayed outside the school gates for everyone to see. Our winning pupil was thrilled to also receive an Auntie Duck goody bag which included a copy of the Auntie Duck storybook and other goodies. |
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Luca with his winning poster design, Auntie Duck storybook and prize goody bag |
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The second-place design has also been recreated as a poster and placed in a prominent location in the pupil’s school. Our winners felt celebrated and proud of their amazing work!
We loved organising this competition and are already looking forward to the next one. These activities inspire children to think about air pollution and the small actions they can take to make a big difference. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s coming next! |
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Auntie Duck Workshop at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital |
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We visited the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital to read Auntie Duck to young patients as part of our Clean Air Day celebrations. The children loved hearing the story of our clean air champion and enjoyed interactive activities that helped them learn about air pollution and how we can all keep our air clean. |
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Auntie Duck’s Summer Adventures in Sandwell |
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Auntie Duck and the Air Quality Team didn’t take a summer break. Because learning about clean air never stops! While schools were quiet, we stayed busy spreading awareness and keeping our communities informed about the air we breathe.
On the 6th and 20th August, Auntie Duck waddled her way to Sandwell Valley Visitors Centre and Bromwich Hall to join the Holiday and Food (HAF) Programme! And on 12th and 15th August, she popped into Great Barr and Hamstead libraries!
The days were full of fun and learning, with children discovering Auntie Duck’s clean air messages and simple actions they can take to help keep our air clean.
They enjoyed tackling the Auntie Duck Maze and Word Search, tried their hands on creating their own Air Pollution Catcher, and everyone went home with an Auntie Duck sticker! |
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Auntie Duck is Spreading Her Wings Across the We st Midlands!
We are really proud to share that Sandwell Council’s successful Auntie Duck Programme has caught the attention of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), so much so, that it is now being adopted across the region! These news stories are a testament to the programme’s impact and continued success in raising awareness about air quality, especially among the younger members of our borough.
The programme is to be rolled out this September as part of the WMCA’s air quality behavioural change projects. All primary schools in the West Midlands will be encouraged to get involved, with exciting rewards available. We will share more details once the programme officially launches, so watch this space. |
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Sneak Peek: Auntie Duck Mascot is on Her Way! 
Imagine a full-sized mascot costume waddling into your school or event, bringing fun, laughter and excitement, while teaching children about what affects their health and what they can do to help. Sounds exciting, right?
Well, get ready… our very own Auntie Duck Mascot Costume is currently being made and will soon be ready to make a big splash at our workshops and events. She’ll be here to cheer children on, spark conversations about clean air, and keep learning fun and engaging. Watch this space. Auntie Duck is coming!  |
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Call for Collaboration
We are inviting schools across Sandwell to sign up for our Auntie Duck programme. Each participating school will receive a free copy of the Auntie Duck storybook, access to a range of teaching resources, and the opportunity to host an Auntie Duck workshop with a special visit from our mascot. These interactive sessions help children explore the importance of clean air in a fun, memorable, and educational way.
We are also keen to collaborate with anyone who works with children, including educators, youth workers, community groups, and faith leaders. Together, we can inspire young people to take simple steps towards cleaner air and healthier futures.
If you would like to get involved, please contact pollution_control@sandwell.gov.uk.
All of our resources are also available to download for free from the Auntie Duck Webpage
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Sample map: Tividale Community Primary School map |
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Mapping the Way to Cleaner Air - School Maps |
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We are working with schools to support their Modeshift STARS travel plans, by creating Active Travel pocket maps to encourage safer and more sustainable travel to improve air quality around the school.
Here’s a glimpse at one of the colourful and informative maps we created for Tividale Community Primary School, front and back!
If you do need to drive to school, please consider parking around 10 minutes away and walking the final part of the journey. The red isochrone on the map shows the area within a 10-minute walk.
This short walk not only helps reduce traffic and improve air quality around the school; it also gives children a chance to wake up gently, get some fresh air, and arrive feeling more alert and ready to learn. It’s also a great opportunity for parents to enjoy a few calm moments together with their child before the school day begins. |
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Air Quality and Active Travel Menu for Schools |
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| The Public Health Team, working in partnership with the Highways Team, have created an Air Quality and Active Travel Menu designed especially for primary schools in Sandwell.
This menu showcases a variety of exciting initiatives that your school can sign up for, all centred around air quality, active travel, and road safety. |
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Each offer is designed to support children’s health, wellbeing, and learning, while also helping to create a safer and happier school environment. The menu also provides full details of the opportunities available and the relevant contacts to help you get started. |
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Meet our Active Travel Hero for This Season!
Andy is our Active Travel Hero for this month. In 1991, a friend of his suggested doing the Solihull to Oxford cycle ride for Cancer Research, so to get fitter, he started cycling from Bearwood to Birmingham city centre where he used to work instead of using the bus, and since cycle commuting was cheaper and quicker than using the bus, Andy carried on for the next 30 plus years!
Check out Andy’s profile to discover what motivates him to cycle and his tips for anyone who wants to give cycling a go! |
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