Summary

  • Updates from Friday 22 October

  1. Boy, 6, rings bell to signal end of cancer treatmentpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    A six-year-old boy who has spent over half his life battling leukaemia has ‘rung the bell’ to signal the end of his cancer journey.

    Aaron Parmar, from Sedgley, had daily chemotherapy for over three years and was admitted to hospital 27 times after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of two.

    His father, Parminder Singh, said the family are "so relieved" to see the end of his treatment.

    "It was very emotional after such a long time,” he said.

    “When your child is suffering, it’s horrible for a parent and very difficult."

    Aaron ParmarImage source, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
  2. Bryan Cranston in... Brum?published at 12:25 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Kathryn Stanczyszyn
    BBC Radio WM

    Stars gathered on the red carpet in Birmingham last night for the world premier of a new musical - What's New Pussycat?, external

    The brand-new musical comedy is inspired by the classic Henry Fielding novel 'The History of Tom Jones - a foundling' - first published in the 1700s, but this version features the iconic songs of Sir Tom Jones and is set in London’s swinging sixties.

    A possibly unlikely attendee was Bryan Cranston, of Breaking Bad fame. He is a close friend of the show's producer and told me it was good to be back at a theatre.

    Bryan Cranston and Kathryn Stanczyszyn
    Quote Message

    I think, you know, that's what our society really needs right now is to be able to go back into the theatre, being with people, socialising and have fun."

    Bryan Cranston, Actor

    He also reflected on the '60s and said: "I was used to seeing the mod scene and the miniskirts and the hippies and the flower power and all that and The Beatles and it just changed the world.

    "I think the 60s is the most dynamic decade in our history."

  3. Wedding dresses hit by supply problemspublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    One firm says it expects to face waits of up to eight months for some designs by the new year.

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  4. Covid lab not accredited despite assurancespublished at 11:31 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    The Wolverhampton clinic is being investigated over potential errors with 43,000 negative results.

    Read More
  5. Your pictures: Rainbows amid the rainpublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    BBC Weather Watchers

    While there may be plenty of rain around today, it's not stopped some lovely rainbows popping up.

    BBC Weather Watcher Nathan H shared this pic from Hereford.

    HerefordImage source, Nathan H

    The rainbow could be seen in Pershore as seen by Gabbyand.

    PershoreImage source, gabbyand

    While over in Warwick OnTheCut snapped this lovely pic.

    WarwickImage source, OnTheCut

    You can share your weather pictures with us here.

  6. Wasps coaches banned over Exeter gamepublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Wasps coaches Scott Barrow and Pete Atkinson are banned for a week after being sent off during the team's defeat by Exeter.

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  7. Misconduct allegations being reviewed, police chief sayspublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

    Allegations of misconduct against serving police officers are being reviewed, according to West Mercia's new Chief Constable.

    Pippa Mills is the first woman to hold the force's top job.

    Speaking in the aftermath of Sarah Everard's murder she said the force is also taking action to make women feel safer on the streets, including making officers more visible.

    Pippa MillsImage source, West Mercia PCC
    Quote Message

    Unfortunately people in the organisation do let us down whether in a malicious way or unintentionally and you know any misconduct will not be tolerated."

    Pippa Mills, West Mercia Police Chief Constable

  8. Leach agrees new Worcestershire dealpublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach signs a new contract with the club to the end of the 2024 season.

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  9. Mural marks town's past and futurepublished at 10:17 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Street artists painting the new mural includes a "futuristic pattern" of Tamworth's crest and warrior queen AethelflaedImage source, Nue
    Image caption,

    The mural

    Street artists have painted a temporary mural on a former Co-Op which is to be turned into a college as part of Tamworth's £21.6m Future High Street regeneration.

    The mural includes a painting by artist Affix of William McGregor, the founder, external of the town's Co-operative Society.

    Artists painted on Saturday after they were invited by the New Urban Era (Nue) art group to represent the town and building's past and future.

    Quote Message

    "We are extremely pleased with the temporary mural in the town centre and look forward to the regeneration of our town centre and hope to have the opportunity to paint something more permanent in the future."

    Vic Brown, Nue founder

  10. No action taken against two fans arrested on racism allegationspublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Birmingham City say no action has been taken against two fans who were arrested after an allegation of racist abuse during their match at Peterborough.

    Peterborough centre-back Nathan Thompson made a complaint to referee Jarred Gillett during their Championship game on 18 September.

    Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed that no further action will be taken against the two Blues supporters.

    Peterborough won the match 3-0 at the Weston Homes Stadium.

  11. Bus services due to be discussed by councillorspublished at 09:25 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    BBC Midlands Today

    Shropshire's leaders will be told today that some of the county's bus services are no longer viable because of the pandemic.

    Bus - generic imageImage source, Getty Images/Colin Thompson

    A reduced number of passengers means that services have only survived because the council and the government have continued to offer companies subsidies.

    Councillors are due to discuss the issue at a meeting on Wednesday. They are planning to ask for help from the government's Bus Back Better fund.

  12. Stratford Town make historypublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Stratford Town have reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

    The Bards beat Boston United 3-2 to set up another home tie, against Shrewsbury Town of League One.

    But Tamworth were unable to book a trip to Rochdale, as they lost 4-0 at Notts County in their fourth qualifying round replay on Tuesday.

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  13. Today's weatherpublished at 08:17 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Today will be windy with a few showers in the morning, that may be sharp and thundery. More persistent rain moves in from the southwest later in the afternoon. Another breezy day. Highs of 12C to 15C (54F to 59F).

    This evening and tonight: Tonight a zone of heavy and thundery showers will move across from the southwest to the northeast. Turning drier afterwards with the chance of a some clear skies at times. Lows of 6C to 9C (43F to 48F).

  14. Live updates for the West Midlandspublished at 08:01 British Summer Time 20 October 2021

    Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

    We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

    We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.

  15. Cherries stretch lead with Solanke winner at Stokepublished at 22:49 British Summer Time 19 October 2021

    Dominic Solanke hits a second-half winner at Stoke as Bournemouth extend their Championship lead to six points.

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  16. Crewe Alexandra 0-4 Sunderlandpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 19 October 2021

    Ross Stewart strikes twice for Sunderland as they win 4-0 at Crewe to move up to second in the table.

    Read More
  17. Gang brought drugs worth £250k to tourist townspublished at 21:52 British Summer Time 19 October 2021

    The gang sent hundreds of messages to users saying the drugs were the "best in town", a court hears.

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  18. Man admits killing 80-year-old grandfatherpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 19 October 2021

    Ashley Sumner, 31, admits manslaughter and committing three driving offences on the same day.

    Read More
  19. Hundreds apply for car-exchange schemepublished at 20:40 British Summer Time 19 October 2021

    Claimants in Coventry can receive up to £3,000 if they give up their cars.

    Read More