Market Hall site has long list of failed development proposals
FORGIVE me for being sceptical about the redevelopment of the Market Hall site, but do you remember in 2012 (over a decade ago)?
There was a proposal to build shops, restaurant, and a new cinema on the site.
Obviously any redevelopment is hugely welcome, as a town without a theatre, cinema and community centre is disadvantaged commercially, economically and culturally.
Michael Shaughnessy
Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove needs to get back to where it was
MAY I first say a big thank you for all the volunteers who litter pick in the Bromsgrove area.
They do an amazing job.
My reason for this letter is to congratulate the Lib Dems and associates who are trying their hardest to get some movement on the Artrix situation.
It should not be difficult to do this, but the Tory run party in Bromsgrove has always been idle and spiteful when it comes down to a little bit of hard work and inspiration towards the town.
I remember back in 1999 when they shouted ‘we want our town back’ and it was with reference to the recreation field by ASDA.
What have we had from them in the last 20 years? Misery.
Now they are cadging from the government for levelling-up money. It’s an embarrassment to the town.
One of the richest councils in the country and what do we get?
Stupid bonfire night and pathetic Christmas lights.
Well with the pending local elections in May, don’t waste your vote by not voting.
Athol Deakin
West Mercia Police will not tolerate racism, misogyny and discrimination
WITH the national news about culture in The Metropolitan Police I want to reassure you of the action being taken by West Mercia Police, your local police service, to ensure we are the best we can be for you, for victims and survivors and for our workforce.
We are more inclusive, more diverse, and more reflective of our communities than we have ever been, but racism, misogyny, discrimination, and bias do still exist.
What also exists is a drive to change, to improve.
Whilst serving as your Chief Constable, we have taken strides to quickly root out corrupt individuals and unacceptable behaviour in our ranks and you will see those stories in this very paper – we will not be quiet about them.
This sits alongside significant work to make sustainable improvements to standards and our vetting and misconduct processes.
We know our bonds with our black communities are fragile, there’s a lot we need to do to rebuild those relationships, to address race disparities and to change a legacy of distrust.
We are delivering against the national Police Race Action Plan and listening to our communities.
We are focusing on improving your trust and confidence in us, and particularly among women and girls.
We are dedicated to tackling violence against women – with a determined and clear approach to bring offenders to justice and in doing all we can to prevent harm in the first place.
You can read my full open letter on our website: www.westmercia.police.uk
Chief Constable Pippa Mills
West Mercia Police
Young people can learn vital first aid skills with St John Ambulance
MANY readers will be familiar with St John Ambulance, but surprisingly few are aware of the youth programme work of the health response and first aid charity.
St John runs five youth programmes for five to 25-year-olds to support and teach first aid and lifesaving skills and last year marked the 100th anniversary of St John’s support for young people.
If your son, daughter, grandchild, or their best friend was stabbed or attacked in the street, would you know what to do?
If their drink was spiked, or they’d had too much to drink, and had collapsed, having the skills to step in during those vital seconds makes all the difference – it saves lives.
This month, thanks to £1million made possible by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, St John launches Young Responders, a new programme reaching out to secondary school children and young adults up to 25 in targeted areas of the West Midlands.
Co-created by young people for young people, Young Responders teaches great lifesaving skills in bite size, hands-on easy to understand sessions.
Training includes how to treat street violence injuries from assault, stabbing and glassing, to knowing how to handle alcohol and drug abuse, spiking, as well as gaining awareness and resilience training in mental health.
Delivered initially through schools, the health and first aid charity hopes the Young Responders programme will reach a new audience and is targeting young people at risk of street crime, young carers, cared for young people and those not in education, training or employment.
Benefits go beyond great first aid know-how and include improved confidence and leadership skills plus it’s a great addition to a CV.
The ambition is for Young Responders to develop strong partnerships with existing street crime and support organisations already working with the target audience in key areas and by the end of 2023 train 15,000 young people in lifesaving first aid.
Find out more about Young Responders by visiting Young Responders | St John Ambulance (sja.org.uk)
Paul Evans,
Director of Youth and Education
St John Ambulance
EDITOR’S COMMENT
WHILST it is disappointing that from next week there will no longer be face-to-face activities at the Bromsgrove Life After Stroke Centre, the charity has its reasons.
When the centre opened 11 years ago, it was revolutionary and was best-placed at the time to help stroke survivors maximise their recovery.
Bromsgrove was proud to be the first in the country to house the centre but, as with many situations, methods and services evolve and we must trust the charity to do the best by the survivors.
We welcome your letters…..
What pressing issues do you feel need addressing in Bromsgrove, Rubery, Droitwich and South Birmingham? Send us your views to [email protected] or [email protected]
