Author: Andy Smith

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%).

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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”.

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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.

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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.

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Market at Southwater

Telford Day And Christmas Activities Launching 29 November

FeatureTelford EntertainmentTelford News
Andy Smith

There is less than a week to go before the first Telford Day event kicks off a host of celebrations and Christmas activity in Telford.

The Made In Telford Christmas Makers Market will launch Telford Day activities and will be open from 10am in Southwater featuring local artisan crafts. Alongside the market, the Christmas Yurt will have activities on throughout the day including a film screening of Cinderella with children’s activities from 10.30am.

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Mascots Rocky (Travel Telford) and PD Peeler (West Mercia Police) with Councillor Richard Overton and Amy Newbrook West Mercia Police PCSO

Be safe in your car, FLOWER

FeatureTelford News
Andy Smith

This year’s theme, Safe Vehicles Save Lives, highlights the importance of vehicle safety in preventing collisions and reducing casualties. In 2024 in Telford and Wrekin there were 150 casualties, of which 37 were seriously injured with three fatalities, a reminder of how vulnerable everyday road users can be.

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Stuart Walker, Leisure Operations Manager Telford & Wrekin Council, Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism, Culture and the Arts and Nigel Hunter – Co-Director of We Do Tennis

Tennis and Padel announcement for Telford Tennis Centre

FeatureTelford NewsTelford Sport
Andy Smith

Telford & Wrekin Council have announced a new long term partnership agreement with We Do Tennis Community Interest Company (CIC) which will see further growth in the tennis programme and a significant investment to bring the sport of Padel to Telford Tennis Centre.

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