Updates from Friday 9 September 2016
Here are some of the views our local BBC Weather Watchers have sent us from across the West Midlands.
These are from users Suttonwalker in Sutton Coldfield, Sunshine Seeker in Stoke Edith, Herefordshire and Ray in Oakengates, Shropshire:
Image source, Suttonwalker
Image source, Sunshine Seeker
Image source, RayThe Shropshire Star's headlines include:
Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £110,000 have been seized in a raid in Telford.
The plants were found in a search of a property on Haybridge Avenue, Hadley, on Monday, West Mercia Police said. , external
Two men, aged 28 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
BBC Radio Shropshire
A charity which runs three hospices is losing £100,000 each week because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to its chief executive.
Image source, GoogleSevern Hospice works across Shropshire and mid-Wales with hospices in Newtown, Shrewsbury and Telford.
Heather Tudor told BBC Radio Shropshire their costs are £11m every year and they lost fundraising income when their charity shops closed and events were cancelled during lockdown.
She said they are facing a significant deficit this financial year.
"It is always challenging to raise the amount of money we need to run the hospice every year but this year is just something we've never experienced before."
BBC Radio Shropshire
Moving magistrates' court trials from Telford to Kidderminster will put more strain on defendants and witnesses, a solicitor has said.
Image source, GoogleThe Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the move was aimed at clearing a backlog of cases and there was more capacity at the Worcestershire court.
But Stephen Scully, from Lanyon Bowdler's solicitors, said it would mean travelling an extra 26 miles for people involved in a case and had happened without warning.
"Initially we thought it might have been an error but, having spoken to to a few solicitors, there's quite a few cases now starting to be moved to Kidderminster. There was no consultation or warning about this."
The MoJ said the arrangement was temporary and anyone with difficulty in getting to Kidderminster would be given priority for a listing at Telford.
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Read MoreThe Shropshire Star has these stories today:
BBC Radio Shropshire
An independent cinema has to "battle through" to Christmas if it is going to stay open in the long term, according to its manager.
Image source, GoogleCinemas are facing a tough climate at the moment in the pandemic with several big-budget films delayed, including the premiere of James Bond film No Time To Die.
James Frizzell manages the Majestic in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, and said people were still worried to come to the cinema due to Covid-19 and it had had a tough couple of months.
He said his staff of 12 were only putting on one show a day in the week and they were relying on getting to Christmas when several large films, including Wonder Woman 1984, are currently due to open.
"If we can hold out to Christmas, I think there is a way forward for us, I think we can do it. If we can just battle through and people support us," he said.
Scaffolding on the tower at Shrewsbury flax mill is removed after major restoration work.
Read MoreWe've had a mix of sunshine and some rain around today so probably not a great surprise some of our local BBC Weather Watchers have been snapping photos of rainbows.
Here are three from users Graham's Vista in Erdington, Birmingham, Basilbrush in Chetwynd Aston, Shropshire and Ray in Oakengates, Shropshire:
Image source, Graham's Vista
Image source, Basilbrush
Image source, RayThe manager of a pub in Bridgnorth has had their licence revoked, police said.
West Mercia Police said action was taken against the manager of the New Inn in St Mary’s Street after reports of "crime and disorder and breaches of COVID-19 regulations".
A new manager has now been appointed and the pub is trading as usual, it said.
Image source, GooglePC Matt Picken: “Despite our attempts to work with the designated premises supervisor, problems with the venue continued causing disruption and concern to the local community."
Sick and abandoned horses are a growing problem with nearly 500 seen during lockdown, the RSPCA said.
Read MoreJordan Graham scores deep into added time to rescue a draw for Gillingham at Shrewsbury.
Read MoreThe events firm was previously been spoken to about Covid-19 regulations, the council says.
Read More
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Grinshill Animal Rescue in Shropshire is applying to move to a new base at Whixall.
The charity, which has been operating for more than 50 years, said the new site would have kennel spaces for 20 dogs and a cattery for up to eight cats.
It took in more than 100 dogs and cats in 2019 at its current rented premises in Grinshill.
The Methodist Chuch has applied for permission to turn its old chapel in Edgmond into two flats.
It also wants to knock down the Sunday School annex next door, to make way for a detached house.
The application said the graveyard at the back, which typically sees a burial “every couple of years”, would remain in use.
The church closed four years ago.
The mother and sister of a judo champion who was found dead in woodlands near the Wrekin are taking part in the virtual London Marathon.
June and Tina Fallon are raising money for mental health charity Mind after Craig Fallon, 36, died in July last year.
His sister Tina described him as a fantastic fighter and the sort of competitor who did not just want to win, but someone who wanted to win well.
Image source, Getty ImagesShe said she and her mother would be walking, not running, the route so they could have time to talk and reflect.
"The Wrekin is vast area of amazing beauty," she said.
"You have to put a little bit of work in to get the top but when you get there it is breathtaking – it is loved by sports people, dog walkers, couples having a romanic walk.
"You could see why someone like my brother would love it so much."
Image source, Family handoutThey are doing it for Mind so other people can be helped, she said.
"I want people to know there are people there for you. It can't always be someone close to you but the people at Mind are always there and do amazing job," she said.
Mr Fallon had been the head coach of the Welsh Judo Association and a winner of multiple gold medals.
This year's London Marathon is being done remotely by 45,000 people.
A 135-year-old GPs surgery in Whitchurch is going to close at the end of March next year.
The Shopshire Clinical Commissioning Group said the Dodington practice was closing because the GPs there, Dr Ruth Clayton and Dr Andrew Rogers, had decided to retire.
The Clayton family has been working at the surgery since 1943, when the current doctor's grandfather Dr Edgar Clayton took over.
Image source, GoogleThe surgery was originally set to merge with Churchmere Medical Practice and become part of the new proposed medical centre at Pauls Moss, but that was delayed due to a judicial review.
The Shropshire CCG said it still felt this was the best option and is "working hard to find a solution".
A man is due to go on trial in January after pleading not guilty to his murder in court.
Read More
