Summary

  • Updates from Monday 1 March to Sunday 7 March

  1. Parish council Zoom host 'surprised' by reactionpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Jackie Weaver remained calm in the meeting that became a "must see" when it spiralled in to chaos.

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  2. Chaotic parish council meeting becomes online hitpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    A Handforth Parish Council meeting is shared widely online after it descends into chaos.

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  3. The parish council meeting that went viralpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Handforth Parish Council's Zoom meeting had insults, laughter and members being kicked out.

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  4. Camera firm Jessops files to hire administratorspublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Camera retailer Jessops has filed notice it is to appoint administrators after it was badly hit by lockdown restrictions.

    JessopsImage source, Getty Images

    All of the company's stores, including its flagship site in Temple Row, Birmingham, are closed until 12 April due to lockdown restrictions.

    The company was bought by Dragons' Den presenter Peter Jones in 2013.

    It currently employs 120 staff and runs 17 stores.

  5. Murder probe victim named as suspects releasedpublished at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    The 29-year-old was found dead at a house in Overdale on Tuesday, a day after she was assaulted.

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  6. 'The man who burgled me deserves a second chance'published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Anne Linton says her burglar has "turned his life around" through a rehabilitation scheme.

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  7. 'Cowardly' toddler murderer jailed for lifepublished at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Babysitter Sean Sadler will serve at least 20 years in jail for the murder of Lilly Hanrahan.

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  8. Jackie Weaver: Don't stop virtual council meetingspublished at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    The council officer says more people get involved with council meetings when they take place online.

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  9. Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner candidatespublished at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Who will be elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire on 6 May?

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  10. 'I've become friends with the man who burgled me'published at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    Anne Linton and a man who burgled her swap Christmas gifts and he regularly does her gardening.

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  11. Data error sees election letters sent to wrong peoplepublished at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    A council has apologised after using out-of-date information when sending letters reminding people to register to vote.

    Sign for polling stationImage source, Reuters

    Dudley Council admitted some residents had received letters for May's elections addressed to previous occupants after "we accidentally used data from a previous year".

    Despite living and being registered at her current address for almost four years, Jo Easthope, from Dudley, was among those to receive a letter on Friday.

    It was addressed to a former resident whom she was told by neighbours had died.

    "It has always been drummed into me to vote, I have only missed one vote since I was 18 which was when I was undergoing chemotherapy," she said.

    Ms Easthope said she had tried to call the council about the situation, but had only been able to leave a voicemail and had not had a response.

    She has now re-registered to vote, but said she was worried it would not go through in time for her to vote in the upcoming local elections on 6 May.

    Kevin O'Keefe, the council's chief executive and electoral returning officer, said it would review its checking system but the error had only affected people who had moved house since 2016.

    "If you have voted at the same address previously, you do not need to take any action. People only need to get in touch if there are changes at the property or if they wish to register for a postal vote."

  12. 'Fairytale' England goal for Villa striker on national team debutpublished at 11:47 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    BBC Sport

    Gareth Southgate said Ollie Watkins' goal on his England debut last night was a "fairytale" for the Aston Villa striker.

    He scored against San Marino with his first shot after coming on for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 83rd minute.

    Ollie Watkins scoresImage source, Getty Images

    Afterwards, Southgate described Watkins as "a really humble boy" and added: "The first thing you saw was the reaction from the rest of the team, that shows you how together they are - they know what it means for him. He's settled in really quickly with the group."

  13. Four West Midlands MPs oppose extension of Covid powerspublished at 09:31 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    On Thursday night there were four West Midlands MPs among 76 who opposed the extension of emergency coronavirus powers for the government.

    Tories Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) and Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire); and Labour's John Spellar (Warley), and Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) all voted the powers are no longer needed, but 484 members voted to extend them for another six months.

    Health Secretary Matt HancockImage source, UK Parliament

    Other MPs to oppose the extension included former Conservative Cabinet ministers David Davis, Esther McVey and John Redwood, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent, ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell and one-time Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey.

    The Liberal Democrats also opposed the extension, along with the only Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

  14. Covid: Over-50s offered vaccines with no appointmentpublished at 09:04 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    BBC Midlands Today

    People over the age of 50 will be able to receive a Covid vaccine without an appointment at three centres in the Black Country for the next week.

    One of the vaccine centres

    Anyone eligible for a jab can turn up at The Saddlers Centre in Walsall, Tipton Sports Academy and VW Active Aldersley, in Wolverhampton.

    Some people who are due to have a first vaccination have not booked and organisers hope the move will ensure all available vaccine is used.

    Sally Roberts, chief nurse for Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Groups, said the move came after feedback from the public.

    "People, when they are waiting for appointments, they would rather be seen quickly, come and get their vaccine and get about their daily work and this opportunity is here now for a week," she said.

  15. Disabled workers welcome factory rescuepublished at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    About 600 people were made redundant when a car parts firm went into administration last year.

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  16. What's the weather got in store?published at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2021

    BBC Weather

    It will be a cloudy morning with outbreaks of rain followed by a brighter afternoon with highs of 10°C (50°F).

    Weather map
  17. Footballer guilty of not giving driver detailspublished at 22:15 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2021

    Brandon Williams' lawyer Nick "Mr Loophole" Freeman argued he should not get points on his licence.

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  18. 'Woman feared PC rape would not be believed'published at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2021

    PC Michael Darbyshire denies rape and five counts of sexual assault at Worcester Crown Court.

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  19. Tribute to teen killed in moped hit-and-runpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2021

    Liam Mooney is thought to have been a pillion passenger on a moped which was in collision with a car.

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