With the better weather and more opportunity to get outdoors to start training, now is the ideal time to commit to this year’s Heart of England Bike Ride.  Now in it’s 12^th year this well-established, popular family bike ride organised by the Knowle and Dorridge Lions takes place to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and local causes.

Starting between 9.30am and 11.30am on Sunday 16 July at Packwood House near Solihull, cyclists have a choice of approximately 12, 18 or 30 mile circular routes (20km, 30km or 50km) along Warwickshire country lanes. Cyclists can take on the ultimate challenge and cycle approximately 60 miles (100km) by completing all three routes.

“This event seems to be going from strength to strength with over 750 riders raising more than £20,000 for charity last year,” says Knowle and Dorridge Lions organiser Paul Wheatley. “With a choice of 4 distances there is something for all abilities, families, teams & individuals. We received great feedback from riders last July who enjoyed the lovely atmosphere, getting fit, completing a challenge and raising money for charity, all at the same time.

It is a great opportunity to spend a Sunday with friends, family or colleagues cycling through the glorious Warwickshire countryside and villages. After the bike ride, food will be available to purchase from the Lions Club BBQ and there is free entry to Packwood House and gardens. It’s a great day out for everyone!”

The Lions are delighted to welcome back main sponsor Hollywood Monster. “This will be our 7^th year supporting the Lions. They do a great job organising this and other fundraising events” says Chief Executive Simon McKenzie “We shall be entering a team and hopefully have a new Hollywood Monster to wave off the riders from Packwood House on the morning.”

With 2017 being the fiftieth anniversary since homosexuality was decriminalised, it is fitting that the theme of this year’s Birmingham Pride event is love and pride. The event, held between Saturday 27^th May and Sunday 28^th May, promises to be a thrilling and promising event.

The event wishes to draw crowds from all walks of life, and to encourage people to come and celebrate love and happiness in their local communities. You do not have to be a member of the LGBT community to come and have a good time.

To that end, the events scheduled throughout the weekend promise to be exciting and entertaining for everyone who attends them. Performances from DJs such as James Silver, Cabaret acts such as Son of a Tutu and bands such as Basement Jaxx promise to bring a lot of fun and fire to the weekend. Furthermore, Sophie Ellis Baxter as one of the headliners for the weekend is sure to be a highlight of the weekend.

There are also a variety of other things for people to pursue if they’re not in the mood for music. These include thrill seekers funfares, community and market stalls selling a variety of wares, and of course stalls selling the best street food Birmingham has to offer.

Birmingham Pride promises to be a fun and exciting weekend, you’d be foolish to miss it!

Street racers are being warned they could lose their car, their job or even their liberty if they take part in a car cruise in the Black Country.

An injunction, introduced in February 2015, will remain in place following a High Court hearing on Thursday, April 27. It bans people from taking part in a car cruise anywhere within the four Black Country boroughs – Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and the City of Wolverhampton – or from promoting, organising or publicising such an event.

His Honour Judge McKenna sitting at the high court evaluating the injunction concluded that it had proven “successful” in reducing instances of car cruising. And the authorities are warning they won't hesitate to take action against anyone who breaches it.

The injunction defines car cruising as the act of drivers meeting on the public highway on an organised or impromptu basis to race or show off in their cars. Anyone who breaches it risks being in contempt of court, for which they could face up to two years in prison and a fine.

Police can also take action against individuals for traffic offences including driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance – no insurance policy covers illegal street racing – or driving an unroadworthy vehicle.

Already 13 people have been convicted of contempt of court since the injunction came into force and further prosecutions are pending. There has also been a significant reduction in car cruising activity across the Black Country.

Councillor Paul Sweet, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Well-being, said: "We welcome the judge’s stance on this and his comments on the success of the injunction. The four Black Country councils and West Midlands Police remain committed to the injunction as an important tool to cut anti-social behaviour and make the public safer.  

“Car cruising, has been eliminated in certain areas altogether and deters would-be car cruisers. We will remain vigilant and will not hesitate to take action against those suspected of participating in car cruises in the Black Country or indeed those who seek to organise them.

Superintendent Dean Hatton of West Midlands Police Roads Policing added: "The injunction enables us, together with our partners, to continue to tackle those individuals who flout the laws of the road and pose a danger for innocent members of the public.

"Anyone who is convicted of contempt of court by breaching the injunction could face jail or be hit with a large fine. At the same time, by committing traffic offences they could be banned from driving or have their car seized."

The injunction was granted in December 2014 and was sought to tackle the menace of car cruising, which was blighting the lives of residents and having a detrimental impact on businesses throughout the region. And it has had an instant impact, with police and councils reporting a significant reduction in car cruising across the Black Country, and the problem being eliminated altogether in many areas.

The injunction prohibits a number of activities and consequences typically associated with car cruising, including speeding, racing or driving in convoy, performing stunts, obstructing the highway, excessive noise, and causing the risk of harm to people or property.

The four Black Country councils and West Midlands Police secured the ground-breaking injunction after receiving hundreds of complaints about car cruising from residents and businesses over a number of years.

They ranged from complaints about dangerous driving, speeding and vehicles and spectators obstructing highways or residential or business properties, to excessive noise, littering, verbal abuse and intimidation.

Works on the latest phase of the Bilston High Street pedestrian and cycle link have now been completed – and it is now open to the public.

Temporary landscaping has been put in place ahead of the final development proposal being determined.

The council acquired and demolished seven derelict properties, improved the ground conditions and dealt with shallow coal workings, to pave the way for the works, which started in early February.

In addition to a wide path through the centre, the site benefits from grassed areas and shrubs, and the design of the temporary scheme enables the open space to be used for events in the town.

A new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Pinfold Street will also be installed later in the year to ensure the route is easy, safe and convenient to use.

The link runs past the Bert Williams Leisure Centre, South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy, through to Bilston Urban Village - where new and improved areas of open space will be developed this year and where up to 450 houses are being built – through to Ladymoor Pool.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “The development of the Bilston High Street link is important to the economy of the town. It ensures that the town centre benefits from the investment being attracted onto the urban village site.

“Bilston Urban Village is a key part of the wider regeneration of the city, bringing new homes, new jobs and more investment.

“All of this demonstrates our commitment to Bilston and ensures it will continue to be a thriving area.”

While the final development is yet to be determined, the council was keen to see the establishment of the route to the High Street. This follows the construction of the link across Pinfold Street car park in 2015.

Walsall College Foundation Art & Design students exhibited and sold their unique hand-made artists’ books at Walsall New Art Gallery.

Hundreds of visitors attended the exhibition and purchased limited edition books in support of upcoming talent.

As part of their course, Art and Design students made a range of different types of books using unconventional materials and printing techniques, and exploring a variety of themes.

Students also volunteered on the day to help manage the event and one student, Emily Wakeling, designed the poster and flyers used to promote the event.

Student, Jake Semper, said: “It was great to share our work with members of the public and see them take a keen interest in what we have produced. I received a lot of good feedback about my books which was really pleasing.’’

Foundation Art and Design Tutor at Walsall College, Maria Wigley, said: “It was a very busy day for the students and so well supported by family and friends and gallery visitors. Our students were able to interact with members of the public and see their work in a major international gallery.”

Foundation Art and Design Tutor at Walsall College, Sue Krejzl, said: “Following the success of this exhibition, we are now exploring more collaborative and work experience opportunities for students at the gallery to support their career progression.”

Tough powers that are helping put a stop to anti-social behavior in Seven Sisters could be extended for a further three years.

Haringey Council is consulting on plans to extend the duration of the existing public spaces protection order (PSPO), which bars a number of anti-social activities from taking place in the area.

Restrictions imposed by the PSPO, which was introduced last summer after being overwhelmingly backed by residents, are generally focused around the Wickes DIY store in Seven Sister Road and include:

Intimidating or obstructing others by congregating in groups of two or more

Persistently loitering

Approaching people for casual labour

Drinking alcohol in the street

Anti-social behaviour such as urinating in the street or being offensive

A gate has also been installed in the alleyway between Roslyn Road and Southey Road to keep out anti-social behaviour.

Since the PSPO was introduced, police patrols have seen more than 95 warnings issued. While anti-social behaviour has fallen, the existing PSPO is set to end this year and the council and the police believe an extension is the best way of continuing to tackle issues and achieve long-term solutions.

Cllr Eugene Ayisi, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “These measures have helped us to make South Tottenham a cleaner and safer place for those who live and work there, but we know there is more still to do.

“Extending the PSPO will allow us to continue our work with the police to patrol the area and take tough action against anyone found to be making life a misery for local people.”

PSPOs were introduced in the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act. Those who breach the order could be liable for a £1,000 fine or £100 fixed penalty notice, issued by the police or the council.

The PSPO currently covers: Kerswell Close; Victoria Crescent; Culvert Road; Russell Road; Elizabeth Road; Southey Road; Greenfield Road; Birstall Road; Brunswick Road; Brunswick Road Park; Suffield Road; Westerfield Road; Braemar Road; part of Seaford Road; Watts Close; Kirkton Road; Lomond Close; Bomond Close; Maynard Close; Gourley Place; Gourley Street; Durnford Street; parts of Seven Sisters Road; Wickes Store car park; Stonebridge Estate, and parts of West Green Road.