Summary

  • Updates from Monday 11 May to Sunday 17 May

  1. In pictures: Frosty start for somepublished at 16:32 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    BBC Weather Watchers

    How was it for you last night? Chilly?

    Parts of Worcestershire could have seen the coldest May night for 30 years, according to the Environment Agency's Dave Throup., external

    These BBC Weather Watchers have been posting their images of a cold start to the day.

    These were taken in Bidford-on-Avon in Warwickshire, Bromsgrove in Worcestershire and Rushbury in Shropshire.

    Bidford-on-AvonImage source, Bidfordjude
    BromsgroveImage source, Hedghog
    RushburyImage source, Peter Steggles
  2. England forward Kvesic returns to Sixwayspublished at 16:09 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    BBC Hereford and Worcester

    The England back-row forward Matt Kvesic is to rejoin Worcester Warriors for next season.

    He's had spells with Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs since leaving Sixways where he's agreed a long-term contract.

    Matt KvesicImage source, Getty Images
  3. PCSO's 'inappropriate' contact with crime victimpublished at 16:00 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    A hearing has been told he used social media to message the woman after visiting her house.

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  4. New mayor sworn in during virtual meetingpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service
    Tom Davis

    Coventry’s new mayor is to be appointed in a virtual ceremony during lockdown.

    Council house

    Councillor Ann Lucas will take over the role of lord mayor from Linda Bigham at the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday 21 May.

    The meeting will allow the current lord mayor to pass on the chains of office and keep council business moving as chair of full council meetings.

    The short virtual hearing will also see John McNicholas named as deputy lord mayor.

  5. When a global crisis becomes a regional issuepublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    How much more challenging politically is it to unpick lockdown than impose it?

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  6. Gibbs-White facing disciplinary actionpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is facing disciplinary action after pictures emerged of him apparently breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.

    Read More
  7. Garden centre chain to begin opening storespublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    The Dobbies chain is reopening eight of its garden centres in the West Midlands from tomorrow, but says it will limit the number of customers, and control queuing to keep people apart.

    Dobbies staff in PPEImage source, Dobbies

    The chain also promised hand-sanitising and trolley-cleaning stations at all store entrances, with protective screens at tills.

  8. Police thank nurses for 'amazing work'published at 14:52 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Organisations are coming together across the world to celebrate the hard work of nurses on International Nurses Day.

    Warwickshire Police has thanked nurses not just for their "amazing work" during the Covid-19 pandemic but for the difference they make to people's lives.

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  9. Overturned lorry blocking Black Country routepublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    An overturned lorry is blocking part of the A463 in Bilston, Wolverhampton, police say.

    Overturned vehicleImage source, West Midlands Fire Service
    Overturned LorryImage source, West Midlands Police

    Recovery "may take a while," according to the fire service which is advising drivers to avoid the area.

  10. Nurse's emotional reunion with Covid-19 patientpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    The surprise, virtual meeting brings back strong feelings and memories for the pair.

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  11. No action over satellite dishes in conservation areapublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    People who put satellite dishes on their homes in a Staffordshire conservation area without permission won't face action from Stafford Borough Council.

    A report to councillors suggested that Alma Road in Stone had been altered so many times that any changes by way of the apparatus would "not be sufficiently out of character that it would be in the public interest to pursue enforcement action."

    Satelite dishesImage source, Getty Images

    The council also suggested that satellite dishes were likely to become redundant soon anyway, with more people using internet streaming services.

  12. Town gives thanks to nursespublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    People are being asked to celebrate the work of nurses today, which is International Day of the Nurse.

    In Telford, a number of roundabouts have been painted with thank yous to the NHS.

    The local authority tweeted, external: "We can't thank you all enough in these challenging times."

    RoundaboutImage source, Telford and Wrekin Council
  13. PM questioned about over-70s and lockdownpublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    A Nuneaton woman questioned the prime minister at Monday's coronavirus briefing, asking for clarity on restrictions for vulnerable people.

    Megan asked: "Initially the over 70s, the pregnant and those with certain health conditions were told to shield for 12 weeks - have those restrictions eased for them?"

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    Boris Johnson replied that people aged over 70 "need to take care but it is not quite right to say that they are shielding".

    He said: "All of the rules of social distancing, of course, apply particularly strongly to them, but otherwise they can go about their daily life."

  14. Public urged to think before using trainspublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    West Midlands Railway is asking people to only use its trains if they have no other option.

    A new timetable will come into effect on Monday 18 May, and services between Hereford and Birmingham, which were halted last month, will be reinstated.

    West Midlands Railway

    Passengers are being warned there could be one-way systems in place at stations and are being asked to wear face coverings, avoid peak times if possible, and buy their tickets in advance.

  15. Asymptomatic ambulance staff test positive for Covid-19published at 12:42 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    A pilot scheme to test ambulance service staff for Covid-19 has shown about 3% of workers with no symptoms tested positive.

    Figures released by West Midlands Ambulance Service show 16 of 543 asymptomatic workers tested positive during a two-day trial.

    AmbulanceImage source, PA Media

    A spokesman said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service can confirm that it has been taking part in a national project to understand better whether Covid-19 is prevalent among NHS staff and patients who do not have symptoms.

    "While the number of positive results is very small -16 in total - it does show the importance of us all continuing to practise social distancing."

  16. Catherine of Aragon's house to become hotelpublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    A Ludlow house that was once the home of Henry VIII's first wife Catherine of Aragon is going to become a boutique hotel and restaurant.

    Shropshire Council has approved plans to refurbish Castle Lodge in the town square.

    Castle Lodge

    Castle Lodge has had a number of uses since the site was first used in the 13th Century and until recently was a private home.

    A council planning committee was told the Grade II listed building had begun to fall into disrepair.

  17. Police: Still 'not enough' clarity over new-look lockdownpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    The chair of West Midlands Police Federation says moves by the government yesterday to clarify its tweaks to lockdown measures have not gone far enough to lift confusion.

    The Police Federation for England and Wales had already said ambiguity over England's easing of restrictions could make an "already challenging" job "impossible".

    Now Jon Nott has added his voice to the debate.

    Jon NottImage source, West Midlands Police Federation

    Mr Nott said: “The Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Sunday evening seems to have given rise to more questions than answers and I am not sure Boris Johnson’s comments in the House of Commons yesterday really gave us the clarity we need to be able to effectively police and protect our communities.

    "[These] new guidelines are simply not clear enough and that is going to make the challenging role of policing at this time even more difficult.”

    Here's an explainer on the new rules in England.

  18. Bus firms face uphill struggle as lockdown easespublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Safety concerns and warnings against public transport will affect the industry, it says.

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