Coronavirus in the West Midlands: Latest updates

Summary

Pet scammers target lockdown residents
Tips could reopen by next week
Passenger numbers could be restricted post-lockdown
Poetry festival cancels...but will be bigger next year
Updates from Wednesday 29 April

Live Reporting

'Big thank you' as 250 visors donated to hospitalpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Visors and face mask clips have been donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Medical staff said they'd come from Solihull-based flooring firm Amtico and King Henry VIII School, Coventry.
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Around the web: Captain Tom painting to stay on displaypublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Cheshire Live - Crewe
These headlines are from the Cheshire Live website for Crewe:
Stone mason creates work of art to thank NHSpublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
A Bridgnorth stonemason is hoping to donate this carved angel wing to the NHS, to show his appreciation for the work its doing.
Christopher Lawrence carved it for the Backyard Stone Carving Festival, which was held over four days over last weekend and encouraged people to create works of art at their home.
Image source, Christina-Clare Photography
Mr Lawrence said he will contact the NHS today, to see if it can be displayed at the town's hospital.
Image source, Christina-Clare Photography
Pony recovering after attackpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Allen Cook
BBC News
Dog owners are being urged to keep their pets on leads after a Shetland pony was attacked.
Image source, Sandwell Council
Sandwell Council said , externaltheir animal Rocky suffered the injuries, including to his neck, on Monday at Sandwell Valley Country Park.
He's had several stitches after the attack and is now recovering, the authority added.
Poetry festival cancelled - but next year will be 'biggest ever'published at 13:59 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
The 2020 Ledbury Festival, which bills itself as the UK's biggest poetry festival, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It was due to take place in July, but organisers said next year's festival, which marks its 25th anniversary, will be the biggest ever.
Image source, Google
Businesses get rate exemptions worth nearly £30mpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Business rate exemptions worth nearly £30m have been awarded to 883 companies in the Telford area.
Telford and Wrekin Council said it has also given business rate discounts worth £276,000 to 27 nurseries.
The discounts mean those businesses and nurseries won't have to pay any business rates for the remainder of the financial year
Image source, Google
The council has also awarded 2,146 Business Support Grants, worth more than £25m.
And it said it was lobbying the government for more money to support businesses.
Around the web: Neighbours complain over home takeawaypublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Birmingham Live
From the Birmingham Live website:
Yours photos: Squirrel, snowdrops and grey skiespublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
BBC Weather Watchers
There have been some grey skies around this morning but our BBC Weather Watchers have still been out taking photos across the West Midlands.
These three are from users Suttonwalker in Sutton Coldfield, Ken M in Lydbury North, Shropshire and Angus and me in Hednesford, Staffordshire.
Image source, Suttonwalker
Image source, Ken M
Image source, Angus and me
Transport to testing centres to be offeredpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
People with coronavirus symptoms who need to get to the testing centres in Shrewsbury and Telford will be offered.
Shropshire Council is leasing vehicles to help those without any way of getting to the the Telford International Centre or Shrewsbury Town stadium by themselves.
Image source, Shropshire CCG
There have also been discussions with the county's clinical commissioning groups about the possibility of sending out clinical staff to the patients.
Council tips 'could reopen in days'published at 12:32 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC WM
Tips could reopen next week depending on how long it takes councils to implement social distancing measures.
Image source, Birmingham City Council
Many closed in March after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should stay at home, except for “essential travel”.
But yesterday, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick told the Commons, external he’d tell councils to start the organised reopening of household waste sites.
Councils are now looking to carry this out in a co-ordinated way to avoid any area getting overwhelmed by visitors.
The scheme could lead to a one-in, one-out traffic light controlled system.
Around the web: Care home death toll revealedpublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Shropshire Star
Here are three of the stories from the Shropshire Star:
- Coronavirus toll on Shropshire care homes revealed, external
- Sculpture firm to create face shields, external
- Support website for Bridgnorth businesses, external
PPE 'designed for women' needed on frontlinepublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
The unisex design doesn't fit all women properly, according to many who are working in healthcare.
Read More
Coronavirus could mean fire station refurb delaypublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Local Democracy Reporting Service
The planned £8m refurbishment of Telford Central fire station could be delayed because of the impact of coronavirus on builders and suppliers.
The fire station on Stafford Park was built in the 1980s and the upgrade involves two extensions, along with a multi-agency incident room and an improved control room.
Image source, SFRS
The work will also add solar panels to the roof and improve the training facilities.
A fire authority report said the architects hope to invite bids for the work over the summer and it's still possible work could start late in the year.
Around the web: Lockdown beauty spot party condemnedpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Stoke-on-Trent Live
The Stoke-on-Trent Live website's headlines:
Coronavirus: Pet scam targets lockdown residentspublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Allen Cook
BBC News
Fraudsters have reportedly scammed people out of hundreds of pounds to pay for kittens and puppies which don't exist.
The scammers are targeting residents who want a new pet to help them through the coronavirus lockdown.
Image source, West Midlands Police
The animals are advertised for sale online but the sellers claim people can't see them in person due to the outbreak.
The force said people are persuaded - with the use of a cute picture - into transferring up to £400 to the fraudsters but never get the pets.
Their advice is to always research the seller and their history. Find more security tips here, external.
Coronavirus: Delays to financial supportpublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Sophie Madden
BBC News
Following our story about the problems some self-employed people have had in getting support from the government, many of you have been getting in contact to share your experiences.
Some of you have said, although you have been able to apply for government support, there is some delay in receiving the much-needed help.
Image source, Getty Images
Derek Ball, who runs a car repair business in Great Barr said he has been waiting almost four weeks.
"I'm at breaking point, no income for five weeks how am suppose to survive?
"I am in total limbo."
The Federation of Small Businesses has previously called the delays 'inexcusable'.
Around the web: Crime warning over job lossespublished at 10:18 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Express and Star
From the Express and Star's website:
Gallery in self-portrait call during lockdownpublished at 10:02 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Should you fancy doing some art work during lockdown then take a look at this gallery's online Self Portrait Challenge.
Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum is calling for people of all ages to submit their drawings, paintings and mixed-media pieces.
Image source, Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum
Image caption,
Organisers say they were inspired by artists such as Sir Anthony van Dyck
There's no prize though, it's all just for fun.
Your self-portraits should be submitted to the gallery's accounts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and pictures are expected to be shared on social media from 4 May.
Iron Age ring and brooch declared treasurepublished at 09:57 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
Shropshire Museums hopes to acquire both pieces of jewellery to display in the county.
Read More
Make A Difference: Volunteers get 'badge of honour' stickerspublished at 09:31 British Summer Time 29 April 2020
BBC Make A Difference
Volunteers in Warwickshire are to receive "badge of honour" car stickers to display while they're out and about carrying out their duties, the county council has said.
The county has more than 500 volunteers at work during the lockdown and hopes the stickers will show they are "on a mission to help those most in need during the Covid-19 pandemic".
Image source, Warwickshire County Council
Council chief executive, Monica Fogarty, said: "As they go about their work collecting groceries and delivering medication and supplies to our most vulnerable residents, we hope these stickers will identify them as the heroes they are.”