Dec
2009
Articles from 24th Dec 2009
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Christmas travellers face more disruption as cold snap continues
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
Christmas travellers in the West Midlands continued to face disruption to their getaway journeys, as the cold weather moved northwards affecting roads and public transport. Read
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Chances of a white Christmas in Birmingham "very slim"
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
AFTER weeks of fevered speculation, forecasters have predicted there will be no white Christmas in Birmingham tomorrow. Read
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Cameron could embarrass Birmingham City Council over regeneration chief's £153k salary
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
Birmingham City Council’s new Strategic Director of Development will receive a salary of up to £153,483, a decision which is likely to place the successful candidate in the firing line of a Conservative attack on over-paid public servants. Read
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Two people hospitalised after crash on A452 near Solihull
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
A man and a teenager have been taken to hospital after a crash on a busy dual carriageway near Balsall Common, Solihull. Read
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Tree planting works leave a bad taste for Birmingham Michelin-star chef
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
A Michelin-star chef is threatening to sue Birmingham City Council for compensation after workmen turned the street outside his celebrated restaurant into a “bombsite”, writes Richard McComb. Read
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Police hand out food hampers to Birmingham burglary victims
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
Police in Birmingham have been getting into the festive spirit by helping to make and distribute food hampers to people who have been affected by crime. Read
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Willenhall Leisure Centre facing closure
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
A Black Country leisure centre is losing £900 a day and could be forced to close, council leisure bosses have warned. Read
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Man arrested after car crashes three times in Leamington Spa
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
A man has been arrested after a car was involved in three collisions in Leamington Spa, police said. Read
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Motorist who left Cerys Edwards paralysed welcomes tougher sentences
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
A landmark change in the law for tougher punishments on dangerous drivers has won the backing of the man who left Birmingham toddler Cerys Edwards paralysed and brain damaged. Read
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Garden grabbers are ruining green spaces
Dec 24 2009 | West Midlands News
The true extent of garden grabbing, where developers build homes on back gardens in the West Midlands, has been exposed, reports Political Editor Jon Walker Read
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Tallest paper tower in the world
Dec 24 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Teamwork between two Wedge Group galvanizing plants – B E Wedge at Willenhall and East Anglian Galvanizing near Peterborough – has helped create the tallest paper tower in the world. Read
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Debate over automotive sector policy
Dec 24 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
The automotive industry in the West Midlands is being invited to make a contribution towards European policies next year. Read
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West Midlands firms told to grab green opportunities
Dec 24 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Manufacturers in the West Midlands are being urged to embrace the low carbon agenda and take advantage of a £3 trillion marketplace in the process. Read
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Innovative Weatherite goes 'tri-gen'
Dec 24 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
A West Bromwich manufacturer is tackling the recession and diversifying to produce the next innovation in sustainable combined heat and power systems. Read
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Big rush for JCB Academy places
Dec 24 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Demand for places at the JCB Academy is gathering pace – with the £22 million regional centre of learning not due to open its doors for the first intake of students until September 2010. Read
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Christmas pudding? Sign this form
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A restaurant has asked more than 350 diners to sign a legal waiver before eating its £7 Christmas pudding. Read
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Acid attack victim gives message
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Acid attack survivor Katie Piper urges viewers to "appreciate the beautiful things and the beautiful people that you have in your life now," in Channel 4's alternative to the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast this year. Read
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Sara Payne critically ill after op
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
The mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne was in a "life-threatening condition" after being rushed to hospital with complications after brain surgery. Read
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Panic-buyers hitting the stores
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A Christmas Eve shopping bonanza has begun with many stores launching early sales to entice panic-buyers. Read
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Whittle on dangerous driving charge
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Strictly Come Dancing star Ricky Whittle has been charged with dangerous driving. Read
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Queen's Speech tribute to UK troops
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
The Queen will pay tribute to Britain's Armed Forces in her Christmas message. Read
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Archbishop rounds on gang culture
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Many young people have been drawn into gang membership in an attempt to bolster their weakened sense of identity, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales is due to say. Read
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Shops set for Christmas Eve rush
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
More than 13 million people are set to make a last-minute dash to the shops for the traditional spectacle of Christmas Eve panic-buying. Read
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Family helps Alps hunt for Briton
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Relatives of a British tourist missing in the Swiss Alps have spoken of their frantic search for him. Read
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Troops given extra time for calls
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Troops spending Christmas in Afghanistan are enjoying an extra hour of free talk time to contact their families. Read
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Pope knocked down at Christmas Mass
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A woman has jumped the barriers in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he walked down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass. Read
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Snowball fight murder: man charged
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A 19-year-old man has been charged with murdering a man who was stabbed to death following a snowball fight, North Wales Police have said. Read
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Man killed after snowball fight
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A man who was stabbed to death following a snowball fight has been named. Read
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Briton missing from ski resort
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A British tourist has gone missing from a Swiss ski resort, police have said. Read
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Boy, six, dies in tragic accident
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A six-year-old boy has died after what police have described as an "agricultural incident". Read
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MoD 'axing training to cut costs'
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
The Ministry of Defence has cancelled dozens of army training exercises to cut costs, it was claimed. Read
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Obama hails healthcare reforms vote
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
President Barack Obama has hailed the passing of landmark healthcare legislation through the Senate, saying it brought the US towards the end of a near century-long struggle for reform. Read
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Panic buyers spend £1m a minute
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Shoppers have splashed out an estimated £1 million a minute in a frenzy of Christmas Eve panic-buying. Read
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Queen's message to praise UK troops
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
The Queen will pay tribute to Britain's Armed Forces in her Christmas message. Read
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Archbishop condemns anti-gay debate
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
The Archbishop of York has spoken out against anti-homosexual laws being debated in Uganda. Read
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Big freeze hits Christmas getaway
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
People planning last-minute Christmas getaways have been warned to prepare for "challenging" conditions and delay non-essential journeys. Read
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SuBo hails her 'brilliant year'
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Singing sensation Susan Boyle has revealed she was the happiest she had ever been after her "brilliant year". Read
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Senate votes on Obama health reform
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Barack Obama could receive an early Christmas present in the shape of his landmark health care bill passing through the US Senate. Read
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Afghan call-up soldier disappears
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A teenage British soldier due to be deployed to Afghanistan has gone missing while on holiday with his girlfriend in Tenerife, his mother said. Read
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Further disruption amid cold snap
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Millions of people face a stressful Christmas Eve getaway as more ice, snow and freezing temperatures cause another day of travel havoc. Read
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Private funeral for Brittany Murphy
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
Actress Brittany Murphy will be laid to rest at a small, private funeral in the United States. Read
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Man dies after 'snowball fight'
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
A man has died after being involved in a snowball fight. Read
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Hit-and-run driver can stay in UK
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
An Iraqi asylum seeker who knocked down a 12-year-old girl and left her to die while banned from driving has won the right to remain in the UK. Read
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Senate passes Obama health reform
Dec 24 2009 | UK News
The US Senate has passed President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul in a climactic Christmas Eve vote, extending medical insurance to 30 million Americans. Read
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India seal series success
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli helped India defeat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the fourth one-day international in Kolkata to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Read
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Donington in doldrums without a buyer
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
The future of Donington Park is in further jeopardy as administrators have been unable to find a buyer for the circuit. Read
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Arthur pinpoints England vulnerability
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
South Africa see a vulnerability in England's batting which they believe they can continue to expose, starting in the second Test at Kingsmead. Read
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Mancini happy with team spirit
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini dismissed claims of a dressing room revolt in the wake of Mark Hughes' departure and insists he has no problem with player loyalty. Read
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Brown fury over FA charge
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Phil Brown has described as "scandalous" the decision to charge Hull with misconduct over last weekend's melee at Arsenal. Read
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Martinez out to strengthen squad
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is determined to bolster his squad in all areas of the park when the transfer window reopens next month. Read
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Hughes sacking 'unacceptable' - Ferguson
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson has branded Manchester City's handling of Mark Hughes dismissal as "unacceptable". Read
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Ecclestone inspired by Schumacher return
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Bernie Ecclestone is predicting a "jaw-dropping season" for Formula One for 2010 after hailing the return of the "comeback kid." Read
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Keane not for sale - Redknapp
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp does not want to sell Robbie Keane but has hinted at changes in his forward line if Manchester City are willing to sell Craig Bellamy. Read
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McLeish on course for new deal
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is in line for a new deal at the end of the season if his side can maintain their good form. Read
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Wenger: Last four years the best
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Despite failing to add to his haul of silverware, Arsene Wenger believes the last four years have been his best period in charge of Arsenal. Read
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Clarke backs Ponting to recover
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Michael Clarke claims he has not even considered the possibility of captaining Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG because he is certain skipper Ricky Ponting will be fit for the start of the three-Test series against Pakistan. Read
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Pietersen: Not in front of the kids
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Kevin Pietersen has twice had to ask foul-mouthed spectators to stop swearing in front of children during England's tour of South Africa. Read
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Jagielka hoping for a happy new year
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Injured Everton defender Phil Jagielka is optimistic of returning to action next month after a long rehabilitation from a knee injury. Read
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Benitez: Gerrard determined to improve
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is backing Steven Gerrard to recapture top form after a discussion with the club captain. Read
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Benitez: No surgery for Torres
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool have no intention of sending Fernando Torres for an operation on his hernia problem. Read
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Levein eyes big picture with Scotland
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Craig Levein insists his remit as Scotland manager goes beyond qualifying for Euro 2012. Read
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Strauss expecting 'something special' from KP
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Andrew Strauss senses some vintage Kevin Pietersen may be on the way for England in time for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Read
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Tharanga century put Sri Lanka in charge
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Upul Tharanga hit a superb century to help Sri Lanka post a challenging total in the fourth one-day international against India in Kolkata. Read
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Mercedes the only destination for Schumacher
Dec 24 2009 | National Sport
Michael Schumacher has insisted Mercedes were his only option for a return to Formula One. Read
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All Arms hands over cheque
Dec 24 2009 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Midland firm All Arms Marketing and Manufacturing has handed over a cheque for £1,000 to aid Midlands servicemen and their families. Read
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Project launched for unemployed
Dec 24 2009 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Not-for-profit organisation Aspire4u has launched a new project to help jobless youngsters to learn new skills while gaining an understanding of other cultures. Read
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Shoe box appeal is festive cracker
Dec 24 2009 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Midlands construction firm Thomas Vale has teamed up with Billesley and Yardley Wood police officers to organise a ‘shoe box’ charity campaign to give those in need some extra support in the run up to Christmas. Read
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FBC Manby Bowdler cheered by Threshers deal
Dec 24 2009 | Legal
A team from West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has advised on a deal for a local retail chain to buy more than a dozen off-licences from the collapsed First Quench group. Read
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Iron Angle: Mike Whitby's long goodbye...
Dec 24 2009 | Iron Angle
It may be deliberate misinformation, but whispers that Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby is preparing to quit just won’t go away. Read
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Chris Upton: Hardly a time for harmony
Dec 24 2009 | More Columnists
The other day I was walking down New Street, humming A Winter’s Tale by David Essex. It’s very embarrassing when this happens, and I felt like going back along the street and apologizing to everyone I’d walked past. Read
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Bernard Longley: Family bonds at Christmas
Dec 24 2009 | More Columnists
Many people have mentioned their happiness about the approaching celebration of Christmas. One thing has stood out and seems to be a characteristic of every Christmas. It is that strong sense of family ties and the need to strengthen them that once again tops our priorities. Read
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David Urquhart: Safety is a gift of God
Dec 24 2009 | More Columnists
Gifts are a big part of Christmas but choosing and buying them can sometimes be difficult. Those gifts we give are more than consumer goods – they are symbols of the relationships we have with one another. So we like our gift to be something that enriches the life of the receiver while reflecting something of ourselves. Read
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Clare Short: No justice in the Holy Land
Dec 24 2009 | More Columnists
Do they know it’s Christmas? as the song said, decades ago. We certainly know in the centre of Birmingham with the German market creating such a festive atmosphere. And the children are getting excited, and this year they might even get a White Christmas. Read
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Jon Walker: Who’s a star or a stinker?
Dec 24 2009 | More Columnists
It’s time to take the brandy out of the sideboard for its annual outing and consider who’s been a star and who’s been a stinker, in the Post’s political awards for 2009. Read
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Sarah Evans: The problem with literacy
Dec 24 2009 | More Columnists
Sup u r so kool wuu2 2nite? Read
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MP Lorely Burt calls for extension of help schemes
Dec 24 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Minister Lorely Burt has called on ministers not to end many of the schemes that have been helping businesses get through the recession. Read
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Entrepreneurs face sharp rise in costs
Dec 24 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Entrepreneurs have been warned to keep a tight rein on cash flow in the new year as the cost of running a small business in the Midlands is set to rise sharply on the back of rising commodity prices. Read
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Technology Transfer £25m on sales
Dec 24 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
An evaluation of the £4 million Technology Transfer Fund in the West Midlands has found it has helped companies to turn over an additional Read
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Tax move opens door to innovation
Dec 24 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
A surprise tax measure in the pre-budget report means now could be the time for innovation-focused Midlands SMEs to start reinvesting in research and development, according to experts. Read
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Warwickshire creche launched for horse-loving parents
Dec 24 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
An unemployed mum has established a new business providing a mobile crèche for horse-loving parents. Read
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Procaterserv lands River Island and London Zoo deals
Dec 24 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
A husband and wife team who set up a new kitchen and catering design firm are predicting annual sales of £1.2 million next year. Read
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Residential care for the mentally ill threatened
Dec 24 2009 | Health News
A mental health hospital is being closed down as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Alison Dayani reports. Read
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Mike Yiannis: The right people are key to success
Dec 24 2009 | Financial
Management, management, management. Read
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Debt market getting more competitive, says PwC
Dec 24 2009 | Financial
Signs are beginning to emerge that the debt market is becoming more competitive and lending is beginning to trickle through to businesses in the region, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Midlands Read
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The overstretched Noughties
Dec 24 2009 | Financial
Stock Market investors have had a frustrating decade, with developed market equities underperforming government bond markets and equities scarcely making money on an absolute basis, even before allowing for inflation. Read
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Squeezed savers face another tough year
Dec 24 2009 | Financial
As major lenders compete to offer cheaper mortgages to kickstart the housing market, it doesn’t take much detective work to conclude that savers are again footing the bill. Read
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Firms regaining confidence on sales and orders
Dec 24 2009 | Financial
Businesses in the Midlands are more confident than at any point in the past two years and are hopeful of a revival in fortunes in 2010, according to a new report. Read
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Waste deals show big drop in activity
Dec 24 2009 | Financial
Mergers and acquisition deal volumes among waste firms – a sector which is well-represented in the West Midlands – fell by more than 50 per cent in the last quarter. Read
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Connect Group handed railway deal
Dec 24 2009 | Creative industries
Connect Group has been appointed by Chiltern Railways to handle its seven-figure marketing communications account. Read
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Anna Latif: Promotion is child’s play!
Dec 24 2009 | Creative industries
A few months into our reinvention of Cafelicious as the digital café and it’s time to focus, perhaps, on some of the downsides to our digital venture. Read
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First client for Boom!
Dec 24 2009 | Creative industries
A new West Midland PR service has clinched its first client. Read
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Flatpack Festival organisers see films flood in
Dec 24 2009 | Creative industries
The organisers of Birmingham’s Flatpack Festival have been snowed under with film submissions for the 2010 programme. Read
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An instinct for fine art at Moo Design
Dec 24 2009 | Creative industries
The owner of a Midland graphic design and advertising company is trading on his company’s cow-themed branding by launching a series of humorous fine art prints. Read
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Wholesale change planned at Birmingham markets
Dec 24 2009 | Latest Business News
Some of the world’s leading investment companies are joining forces to explore the possibility of developing Birmingham’s huge Wholesale Markets site. Read
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Business Profile: Matrimonial lawyer Sylvie Sarabia
Dec 24 2009 | Latest Business News
The place: A luxury apartment in Barcelona. The occasion: a WAGs and footballers get-together. The entertainment: A game of Monopoly. Read
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Balfour Beatty makes £10.3m acquisition of Strata
Dec 24 2009 | Latest Business News
The UK’s biggest builder, Balfour Beatty, today bolstered its regional arm with a £10.3 million takeover of Strata Construction. Read
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Venture capital funds under fire
Dec 24 2009 | Latest Business News
The Government has declined to release a breakdown of how the West Midlands publicly-backed venture capital fund is performing following a report showing a dismal collective return across all the equivalent UK funds. Read
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Mailbox developer must cough up £1.2m in payment dispute
Dec 24 2009 | Latest Business News
The developers of the Mailbox have been told to pay £1.2 million to settle a legal wrangle with the engineering firm that laid the groundwork for their new Cube development. Read
