Author: Andy Smith

Students bring festive cheer to the community

Telford NewsTelford People

Pupils from Ercall Wood Academy in Wellington hosted their third annual Christmas afternoon tea and welcomed older members of the local community for the celebrations.

Principal Nick Murphy said the much-loved event had become a highlight of the Academy’s calendar and reflected the school’s commitment to community engagement and bringing multiple generations together.

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College donates gift boxes for the homeless and vulnerable

Telford NewsTelford People

Telford College students have donated dozens of Christmas gift boxes to a local charity which supports homeless and vulnerable people.

Students from the college’s foundation learning department have made up a total of 35 festive gift boxes for Stay Telford & Wrekin, from donations collected around the campus.

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School heads on fact-finding visit to Telford College

HighlightsTelford News

Head teachers and leaders from local schools visited Telford College to learn more about potential placement opportunities they could offer to T Level students.

A delegation from the Learning Community Trust, which runs more than a dozen school sites across the county, visited the college’s Wellington campus to chat with students on business and accounting courses.

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Shropshire Youth Awareness campaign tops £10,000 mark

Telford NewsTelford People

The new Shropshire Youth Awareness Day which saw the county turn blue to show its support has so far raised more than £10,000 for youth charities across the county and the amount is still rising. 

Pic: The High Sheriff of Shropshire Jane Trowbridge with pupils at Wombridge Primary School taking part in the Youth Awareness Day

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Telford dog rehoming centre appeals for support to improve ageing facilities

Telford News

Hilbrae Dog Rehoming Centre has launched its Build a Better Bark appeal to fund the replacement of outdated kennel blocks and re-fence its exercise paddock, saying the work is vital to ensure dogs arriving at the centre who have lost everything have the facilities that they need whilst they wait for their second chance.

Anyone wishing to support the Build a Better Bark campaign, through donations or practical help, can contact Hilbrae Dog Rehoming Centre for more information or use the link here to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jo-wrate-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

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Telford College students serve up a festive feast

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

Students from Telford College laid on a festive food feast for members of a local community dining group.

Public uniformed services students joined forces with catering students to treat members of the Dawley Dinner group to a Christmas meal in the Orange Tree restaurant on the college’s Wellington campus.

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Council set for £67m funding boost

Telford News

Essential services across Telford and Wrekin are set for a multi-million pound boost following a landmark government funding deal. The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, announced this week, will see the council receive an extra £67 million over the next four years.

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Four arrested during Telford pub immigration raid

HighlightsTelford CrimeTelford News

Four individuals were arrested for immigration offences during the visit on 17 December. The group included two Indian nationals and two Nepalese nationals.

West Mercia Police supported Immigration Enforcement during the action. The Fire Service also attended the premises on the same evening and provided a list of required improvements.

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MP vows to fight Green Belt building plans

Telford NewsTelford People

The government announced new planning reforms that could see more homes built on Shropshire’s Green Belt. Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard spoke out in the House of Commons against the changes, which were unveiled by the Housing Minister just before the Christmas recess.

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Community spirit shines at Khushdil Day Centre

Telford NewsTelford People

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has set itself an ambitious goal – to raise £75,000 to help tackle loneliness and social isolation among older people across the county.

Members of the charity’s Khushdil Day Centre, based at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Hadley, have enthusiastically risen to the challenge. Through a series of fundraising activities, they have already raised more than £1,900 to support older people throughout Shropshire.

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Food bank donation in time for Christmas

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

Students at a Newport secondary school have made generous donations to the town’s food bank to help those in need in time for Christmas.

The pupils at Burton Borough School collected over 250 items, and Newport Food Bank manager of volunteers Matt Partridge visited the school to receive the donation.

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Newport swimmers give cracking performance at Christmas gala

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford Sport

Swimmers from Newport & District Amateur Swimming Club delivered outstanding performances at its inaugural Christmas Cracker open meet with 60 podium places. 

The talented squad of 34 competed in the event on 6 December at Wolverhampton Central Baths, showing their strength across all age groups and disciplines, taking home 23 gold, 15 silver and 22 bronze medals.

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Drop in sessions announced for HMO consultation

Telford NewsTelford Noticeboard

A number of drop-in sessions are being held where people can find out more about the proposals on:

Thursday 18 December at Meeting Point House from 4 to 6pm

Thursday 15 January at The Anstice from 5 to 7pm

Tuesday 27 January at Cosy Hall, Newport from 5 to 7pm

Friday 20 February at Ketley Community Centre from 5 to 7pm (focus on additional licensing consultation)

Thursday 5 March at Meeting Point House from 5 to 7pm (focus on additional licensing consultation)

People will be able to complete the consultations online at the drop-in sessions as devices will be available

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Donnington couple smashes target, raising over £61,000 for Severn Hospice

Telford NewsTelford People

A local couple from Donnington, are being hailed as community heroes after their latest fundraising effort pushed their lifetime total past an incredible milestone.

Ian and Donna have now raised an astonishing £61,000 for the Severn Hospice, thanks to years of dedication and community support.

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Schools join forces for a special celebration of music and community

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

Students from 13 different Shropshire schools came together to give a very special musical performance.

The Learning Community Trust hosted the first-ever performance of its LCT Choir at New Road Academy in Telford, describing it as a milestone in its mission to unite students through creativity and shared experiences.

Full gallery on the website.

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Owners commit to AcoustaProducts future in Telford

Telford BusinessTelford News

The growth of engineering business AcoustaProducts is set to accelerate following its parent company’s long-term commitment to the firm’s manufacturing base on Stafford Park, Telford.

AcoustaProducts is now poised to prosper after its owners, Avon Group, announced it has acquired the freehold on the premises. The site will now be transformed into what is described as a “world-class” environment.

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Podcast project challenges misconceptions about college life

Telford NewsTelford People

Telford College is working with Telford & Wrekin Council on a pilot project designed to challenge popular misconceptions about life at a further education college.

Students from the college’s creative and music department have teamed up with the Telford & Wrekin Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team to shoot a new video podcast.

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Spotlight on West Mercia Police’s performance

Telford CrimeTelford News

While there was a decrease in some specific offences—including a 26% drop in business and community burglary, 12% reduction in vehicle offences and an 8% reduction in shoplifting—the overall rise is noted in the data.

Tackling crime and supporting victims is a core priority for the PCC. The figures show victim satisfaction rates remain largely positive, indicating progress in support services.

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New homes ready in St Georges regeneration project

HighlightsTelford News

Nuplace tenants are beginning to move into new homes in St Georges as a major regeneration project.

The brand new new homes for private rent starting at £900 per month, located at the Gower, are now ready for occupation.

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Contribution of Special Constables to be recognised with discounted council tax

Telford News

In a ground-breaking scheme, the PCC is working with local authorities in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin with a view to giving those Special Constables, who volunteer more than 200 hours of their free time, the opportunity to claim 25% off their council tax bill.

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Telford hotel brings Christmas joy to local children

HighlightsTelford News

Christmas came early for some Telford and Shropshire families last week as an independent hotel opened its doors to support Little Stars Charity.

Hadley Park House Hotel has a packed programme of Christmas events, but staff took time out of their busy schedule to put on a magical Christmas party for families facing the challenges of the continuing cost-of-living crisis.

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Transicon’s Jennifer Hughes named among Britain’s Great 100 manufacturing leaders

Telford BusinessTelford News

Launched by the Made in Group, the Great 100 recognises individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to strengthening British industry.

Jennifer was selected for being a champion for the sector, for driving and supporting sustainability practices, investing in skills and demonstrating innovation and continuous improvement.

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Fundraiser set up to help local mum

Telford NewsTelford People

Several notable sports figures have donated items to a draw to encourage donations. Olympic Champions Galal Yafai and Lauren Price have provided two signed gloves and two signed pictures.

For every £5 donated via a JustGiving page, an entry is given into a draw. The closing date for entries is 19th December.

The link to the fundraising page is: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leeandrichiehelpliza

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Student council selects ‘really meaningful’ charity to support

HighlightsTelford News

Telford College’s student council is supporting a campaign to reduce the number of young people affected by suicide.

The student council said it selected the ‘really meaningful’ charity because of its work to shatter the stigma surrounding suicide, and to equip young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to emotional distress.

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Hospitals Trust secures £2 million for reducing wait times

Telford News

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has been named the most improved trust in the country for cutting planned care waiting times, securing £2 million in capital funding. Performance between April and September saw a significant 14% improvement in the 18-week referral to treatment figures. The national target aims for 92% of patients to receive treatment within this timeframe.

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MP’s Christmas card campaign to raise funds for cancer charity

Telford News

Shaun Davies, Member of Parliament for Telford, has this week unveiled his annual Christmas card, created in partnership with a group of 11 local businesses. 

No taxpayer funding has been used for the design, manufacturing or delivery of the card. The card is being delivered by Royal Mail.

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2k enter the Telford 10k this weekend

Telford NewsTelford Sport

Just under two thousand runners will descend on Telford Town Park on Sunday for the 41st Telford 10k Road Race.

The multi-lap course is known to be very fast, and while a section of the Silkin Way is closed due to a sinkhole, the revised route still uses the park paths, starting at the Southwater Town Park entrance. It will offer a fantastic opportunity to see some of the fastest road runners in the country in action.

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Telford targeted, but it can’t be that bad, can it?

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford Talking Shop

Andy Smith takes a look a worrying piece of news about Telford, but tries to put a brave face on it.

In a story by Harry Warner on Joe.co.uk headlined “All 23 UK towns and cities on Russian ‘target list’ revealed by ex-Russian Deputy PM“, Telford gets a mention, and I’m excited, proud and disappointed all at once.

First a bit of background.  An ex-Russian Deputy PM has p…

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