Author: Andy Smith

Friends of the Station members David Bunn, Kath Howard, Antony Hook (Chair), Kath Padgett, Rob Hubbleday, and Cllr Julie Pierce (also Wellington Town Council); Sam Hine (Wrekin Housing Group); John Anderson and Rob Anderson (Meadowdale Garden Centre); Mayor Reg Snell; and Venn Davies (Wellington Rotary Club).

Community support blossoms at Wellington station

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

The platform at Wellington Station is looking brighter and more welcoming, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Friends of Wellington Station and some fantastic support from the local community and organisations.

A significant addition to the station comes in the form of brand-new planters which were crafted by talented students Tyler Klimowski and Lucas Davies from Telford College. “We are absolutely delighted with the new planters,” said Kath Howard for the Friends of Wellington Station.

Read more
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Shaun Davies MP at RBSL

Telford’s defence growth ambitions taken to the top

Telford BusinessTelford News
Andy Smith

“By taking our case directly to the top off the MOD, we are making sure ministers understand the scale of opportunity here. We have outstanding defence organisations with hardworking and skilled men and women and a first-class supply chain in our town that I am very proud of and I know we can do even more. I am committed to ensuring Telford’s voice is heard at the highest level.”

Read more
Telford Bike Hub in Telford Town Park

Telford Bike Hub wins national award for community engagement

FeatureTelford News
Andy Smith

Based in Telford Town Park, the hub offers a variety of bikes and scooters for residents and visitors, including e-bikes, recycled bikes and adaptive bikes. The team works closely with schools, parent groups and local organisations to help people build confidence and enjoy cycling.

The award recognises projects that make a real difference in local communities by encouraging active and sustainable travel.

Read more
SaTH volunteer Claire Ashton driving the new buggy at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Hospital seeks volunteer buggy drivers

Telford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

The volunteer-run buggy service plays a vital role in improving accessibility for those who may find the hospital’s long corridors or distances challenging. 

Volunteers at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) provide a friendly face and a reassuring presence, offering lifts between the main entrance and clinics.

Read more
Cyclist enjoying a quiet ride (Pic: Alex Parnell - Pexels)

Telford cyclists fare better in recently released collision data

HighlightsTelford News
Andy Smith

New data has highlighted regional road safety, revealing that more than 150 cyclists were injured in traffic collisions across the West Mercia Police area over the last year. While Shropshire tops the list with 45 injuries, Telford & Wrekin is in third place, recording 22.

Of the 168 recorded incidents, the outcomes for riders were often severe. The police data logged two fatalities, 51 serious injuries and 115 slight injuries.

Read more
Isabella Hadland, Year 6 teacher Steven Firmstone-Hill, and Theo Waterworth from Lilleshall Primary

Students host festive afternoon tea event

Telford News
Andy Smith

Students from Burton Borough School in Newport laid on an afternoon of festive treats to showcase their skills and entertain invited guests.

School principal Caroline Bedford said: “The afternoon featured a lively Christmas quiz that ended in a tense tie-break, festive music, cracker pulling and a beautifully decorated room that set the perfect seasonal tone.”

Read more
Emily Myatt, social value coordinator for McPhillips, Sue Chalk, head of service health and wellbeing at Community Resource, Val Hardy, McPhillips company secretary, and Sonia Roberts, Shropshire Community Foundation trustee

McPhillips funding helps tackle social isolation through innovative buddy scheme

Telford BusinessTelford News
Andy Smith

The charity has been committed to making life better for people facing challenges in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin communities for 60 years and the scheme focuses on getting people out of their homes and back into their communities, helping them rebuild confidence and social connections after experiencing challenges such as bereavement, long-term illness, or domestic violence.

Read more
PCSO patrolling the street - Pic: Telford Live

More police seen, say residents

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

A new quarterly perceptions survey shows residents of Telford and Wrekin are the most likely across the whole West Mercia region to see a police officer or PCSO on a weekly basis. One in four (25%) of the local population reported seeing officers this frequently. This represents a significant rise of 7% compared to the same period last year.

Confidence in West Mercia Police remains steady at 80% across the force area. Almost 6 out of 10 people in Telford and Wrekin feel the force is doing a good or excellent job (57%).

Read more
Promising young athletes - Jasmine, Kaitlyn, Huwie, and Brandon,

Four young Warriors earn national basketball place

FeatureTelford NewsTelford Sport
Andy Smith

Shropshire Warriors are celebrating a proud moment after four rising stars from the club were selected for the prestigious Basketball England Aspire 25/26 programme. The players are now attending camps as part of their development journey.

The four young athletes represent the Telford-based club across multiple age groups and include Jasmine and Kaitlyn from the U15 Girls team, Huwie from the U13 Boys team, and Brandon from the U15 Boys team.

Read more
The former Church of England School in St Luke's Road, Ironbridge.

Historic school exceeds sale price

HighlightsTelford News
Andy Smith

The former Church of England School on St Luke’s Road in Ironbridge, known locally as the ‘Blue School’, proved to be a popular lot at Halls’ final property and land auction of the year, selling above its guide price for £125,000. The Grade II listed building was part of a successful collective property and land auction on Friday that saw 17 lots sell for a combined total of £2.2 million across Shropshire and Cheshire.

Read more
The site of 1,000s of houses being built on Farmland

Planning Inspectorate announces dates for next step in Local Plan process

Telford News
Andy Smith

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said: “We welcome the Planning Inspector’s announcement of the dates for the Local Plan examination hearings. This is another important milestone for the new Local Plan, which will not only guide how our borough develops, but also sets out how we will protect green spaces and care for our existing communities.”

Read more
Aviramp ChairLifter – a purpose-built and solar-powered lift for Electric Mobility Aids (EMAs) such as mobility scooters

Aviramp launches ‘game-changing’ new chair lift

Telford BusinessTelford News
Andy Smith

World-leading aviation ramp specialist Aviramp has officially launched its latest innovation – and says it marks a major step forward in improving passenger accessibility.

The Telford-based manufacturer has unveiled the Aviramp ChairLifter – a purpose-built and solar-powered lift for Electric Mobility Aids (EMAs) such as mobility scooters.

Read more
Four residents in receipt of Adult Social Care - Tom, Simon, Abigail, and Joanne – have moved in together and are benefiting massively from the social support and independence they now have.

New inclusive living development in Ironbridge

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

A new supported living scheme has welcomed its first residents in Ironbridge. The Heritage Walk development includes 12 purpose-built supported living homes, developed by Telford & Wrekin Council in partnership with the learning disability charity Hft and housebuilder Lioncourt Homes.

Read more
Joe Costello (17) head boy at Haberdashers' Abraham Darby has now raised an amazing £2550

Head Boy Joe finishes swim challenge

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

A student at Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby has completed a massive 21-mile swimming challenge this month, raising a remarkable amount of money for Cancer Research UK.

Joe Costello, 17, finished his final lengths on Saturday morning, achieving his goal of swimming the equivalent width of the English Channel.

Read more
New consultant welcome session in April 2025

Increase in number of consultants recruited at hospital Trust

Telford News
Andy Smith

The numbers applying for consultant roles has risen at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) with 33 consultants, including both substantive and NHS locum consultants recruited since the start of this financial year on 1 April 2025.

In addition, several more consultants are currently under offer and progressing through the onboarding process with support from the Trust’s Medical People Services team.

Read more
Dr Hezron Ottey PhD RN Founder & Director, Telford Community Basketball CIC

Telford Community Basketball CIC Wins National Positive Impact Award

FeatureTelford BusinessTelford NewsTelford PeopleTelford Sport
Andy Smith

Telford Community Basketball CIC has been recognised as the national winner of the Positive Impact Award at the prestigious Growing Business Awards 2025 in London.

The organisation, which began its work in 2019, was honoured for transforming lives across the UK by creating a community where age, ethnicity, background, and religion do not restrict belonging.

Read more
Artist Neil Willis with Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, Cllr Lee Carter.

Fixed: Remembrance bus stop mural restored

FeatureTelford News
Andy Smith

Telford & Wrekin Council has acted quickly to repair damage caused to a cherished bus stop mural in Leegomery, Apley, after it was defaced with white paint overnight on 21 November.

The artwork, created by local artist Neil Willis, featured poignant Remembrance scenes with the Union Jack flag, poppies, and soldiers. Its vandalism generated widespread sadness and disappointment among residents.

Read more
Southwater in Telford

Telford Day celebrations tomorrow

FeatureTelford EntertainmentTelford News
Andy Smith

A special celebration is taking place tomorrow as the town marks its first Telford Day, with activities revolving around the new Christmas Yurt. The festivities begin on Saturday, November 29, in Southwater and run for over a week.

Tomorrow is the official Telford Day, marking the date in 1968 when the new town was established. Residents are invited to join the celebration, which includes the opening of the Made in Telford Christmas Makers Market, open daily from 10am until 8pm.

Read more
A packed programme of activities is on offer across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

Winter Winners: December school holiday activities on offer

Telford EntertainmentTelford News
Andy Smith

A packed programme of activities is on offer across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin this winter thanks to a local charity – including the chance for young people to learn bushcraft.

4 All Foundation has this week announced the dates and locations for its Christmas holiday programme, with children eligible for free school meals (FSMs) able to attend for free. Activities will vary each day but will include multi-sports, dance, baking, arts and crafts, and outside activities (weather permitting).

Read more
Mike Coope from RSJ and Alan Watkins of Silver Threads Hall with some of the centre users.

Improvements to community centre outdoor area thanks to local developer

HighlightsTelford BusinessTelford News
Andy Smith

A Telford community centre has received a welcome boost to its outdoor space, thanks to a generous donation from the construction firm behind a new housing development nearby.

RSJ Builders, which recently completed 19 new homes for Housing Plus Group off Furnace Lane in Trench, has donated outdoor furniture and a raised planter to Silver Threads Hall.

Read more
Police respond to an incident at Farmfoods.

Pedestrian involved in supermarket car park collision

FeatureTelford CrimeTelford News
Andy Smith

A large Police response at a Telford supermarket this afternoon. Multiple police vehicles and personnel were on scene at Farmfoods in Ketley in Telford.

Police have said that “Following a report received around 3pm this afternoon (27 November), officers are currently at the scene of a collision between a pedestrian and car within a car park off Holyhead Road in Telford.”

Read more
Taylor Smith (right) with course mates on the film shoot

Student buzzing after beekeeping film wins festival prize

FeatureTelford EntertainmentTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

Film Production student Taylor Smith won Best Documentary at the recent Napier Student Film Festival, which celebrates student filmmakers from around the world.

Taylor, 21, from Telford, said: “It feels amazing to have won this award because I am incredibly proud of this documentary. It was really fun to make and it felt very rewarding when it was complete. I was happy with how it turned out, so it’s really nice to know that other people also felt this way when they watched it.”

Read more
An outdoor Yoga session in Wellington, Telford

£400,000 to support Telford residents to become more active

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

The initial funding award of over £400,000 will run until March 2027, with work focussing on understanding why people aren’t currently active; supporting them to find ways to change; support that continued active lifestyle and build healthy habits across children, young people, health, social care and green spaces so that all people can enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Read more
Telford and Wrekin Offices (Pic: Telford Live)

Tighter controls on Telford HMOs up for discussion

FeatureTelford NewsTelford Talking Shop
Andy Smith

The article 4 direction would remove the option for landlords of smaller HMOs to use permitted development rights and would therefore require them to seek planning permission for a new HMO, regardless of size. Existing HMOs would be unaffected by these changes.

The planning changes would allow the Council to know where all HMOs are located and to consider what the impact of new HMOs would be on the wider community and local services.

Read more
Amy Bould, managing director of strategic communications company Be Bold Media

Shropshire companies give Budget the thumbs-down

FeatureTelford Business
Andy Smith

A wide range of firms said there was little in Rachel Reeves’ long-awaited and much-leaked speech to give the business community the confidence it needed to thrive in the coming year.

Telford-based civil engineering and construction contractor McPhillips, which directly employs 240 people and has delivered more than 140 projects worth £300million in the last five years, said today’s budget “fell short of the mark”.

Read more
Councillor Reg Snell, Tracy Hitchcock, Herlander Alcobia, Dee Cook, Carol Bland, Rob Hall, Connor Tromans, Claire Tippett and Sarah Clowes.

New home for Cats Protection shop

HighlightsTelford BusinessTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

The volunteers at Cats Protection were concerned they may have to close for good due to the regeneration of the historic Wellington Market but they have now moved into a new location which was previously held by Spirit of Bulgaria in the Market Piazza.

The new unit will enable the volunteer-run branch to continue its cat welfare work and support local cat-lovers.

Read more
Mandy Thorn SCF trustee, Paul Craven of JCE and Sons, Selina Graham chair of SCF and Paul O’Brien of DENSO

New fund launched for young people

Telford BusinessTelford NewsTelford People
Andy Smith

A new £20,000 grant has been launched to empower young people facing barriers to education, employment, and training across Telford & Wrekin and the wider Shropshire region. The fund will provide grants of up to £5,000 to grassroots organisations delivering youth-led, creative, skills, and mentoring projects.

Read more