School transport costs too high, say councillors

School transport costs too high, say councillors

The amount being paid by a council on home-to-school transport is "unsustainable", councillors have heard. The service, along with social care, is among the biggest drains on Worcestershire County Council resources. The local authority's children and families overview and scrutiny panel heard on Monday that local authorities will be spending £2.6bn nationally by 2027-28 on getting children to school if there is no significant change to national policy. Home-to-school transport […]

January 29, 2025 5

Shropshire

English Heritage to run Flaxmill visitor attraction

English Heritage will take over the running of a visitor attraction in the world's first iron-frame building. Historic England, which restored the derelict Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings with the help of Shropshire Council, will remain the owner of the building. It said English Heritage was "uniquely placed to promote visits and share Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings' story with a wider audience". Historic England confirmed it would continue managing commercial lettings, along with […]

January 29, 2025 3

Worcestershire

Neville Staple to perform one-off charity gig

The Specials singer Neville Staple is returning to the stage for a one-off performance at a charity gala in Birmingham next month. Last year the Coventry frontman was diagnosed with a serious heart defect, for which he was advised to take a complete rest from live performing. The gala will raise funds for Acorn Children's Hospice, which has sites in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and provides palliative care for families […]

January 29, 2025 1

Worcestershire

Compulsory purchase powers option for green scheme

Compulsory purchase orders could be used to secure the land needed to build a new walking and cycling route. Work on the project, which will link Worcester city centre with Shrub Hill, is due to start in May. It forms part of the wider regeneration of Shrub Hill Quarter, a collaboration between the city and county councils following a £10m government Towns Fund grant. Kevin Moore, the city council's head […]

January 29, 2025 1

Shropshire

Heartwarming response to homeless charity theft

A homeless charity that launched an online appeal after money was stolen from its shop has described the response as heartwarming. Shrewsbury Ark said a thief posing as a customer last Thursday distracted staff before helping himself to the money in the till. It said people responded by donating £500, more than the amount taken, and by dropping in with messages of encouragement and support. Kim Tunbridge, Ark's fundraising and […]

January 29, 2025 4

Events

Sleeping Beauty

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not too far from our own, the wicked fairy Carabosse placed a curse on the Princess Aurora that before the stroke of midnight on her 21st birthday, she would prick her finger on a spinning wheel and sleep for all eternity! With a magical cast of characters and the festive spirit only the Wolverhampton pantomime can bring, join us on a journey to break […]

January 14, 2025 10

Events

Sleeping Beauty

Worcester’s favourite family pantomime Sleeping Beauty is back with a show that will put you under it’s spell… OH YES IT WILL! Join us for a magical (and sometimes wicked) story, and find yourself enchanted by your favourite songs, fantastic dance routines, incredible vocals and non-stop laughter! In a pantoland far, far away, the villainous Carabosse has cursed the beautiful Princess Aurora – is there a valiant prince in Worcestershire […]

January 14, 2025 6

Events

Elf The Musical

World’s Biggest Productions Brings Elf The Arena Spectacular to Wolverhampton Grand Christmas 2025 After sell out arena tours and record-breaking sales, ELF The Musical —the hilarious, hit stage adaptation of the beloved holiday movie—is coming to Wolverhampton Grand 2025! This larger-than-life production brings the festive magic to the arena with unforgettable scenes, including Santa’s flying sleigh, an interactive snowball fight with the audience, and a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, all set […]

January 14, 2025 8

Events

Friends! The Musical Parody

Get ready for non-stop laughs with your favourite Friends. FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY, the hit New York and Las Vegas sensation, is a side-splitting musical comedy packed with iconic moments from all ten seasons of the beloved television series. Featuring an entirely original musical score, the show follows the escapades of the world’s most famous group of twenty-somethings. From the producers of Hairspray and the director of The Full Monty, this humorous take on […]

January 14, 2025 3

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