Wellington News

Primary school pupils across the borough are going head to head today (JUNE 30) to try and win the first Telford and Wrekin Youth Games at Telford College of Arts and Technology on Tuesday.

A total of 34 borough schools have been involved in local sporting festivals that have narrowed it down to two representative teams from each part of the borough entering the final.

The schools that have been successful in reaching the final are:

Stirchley and Ladygrove,

Aqueduct and Sir Alexander Fleming,

Donnington Wood

A family fun day organised by Telford & Wrekin Council's disabled children's team will be graced by two international sports stars that have won gold medals at their respective events. The free event - titled Ican2 - will be opened by Olympic javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson and closed by Paralympian star Debbie Brennan.

It will take place at Telford International Centre and is aimed at disabled children and those with additional needs. It takes place this Saturday, 4th July.

A disused canal near Telford has taken a huge leap forward to becoming a popular tourist attraction. Telford & Wrekin Council has granted a 125 year lease on the Wappenshall Junction site near Preston upon the Weald Moors to The Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust. The council purchased the one acre site in January 2009. The new agreement will mean the Trust can now go ahead and secure funding from organisations such as The Architectural Heritage Fund and to begin a five year plan to transform the site.

Hobsons, the award-winning, sustainable Shropshire brewer, is bringing back an English tradition that disappeared in the late nineteenth century. Tossing a coke, the regional name for a bowler hat, was a competitive sport amongst young gamekeepers and brewers. The championships will begin in Worcestershire at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb on Sunday July 5th - the home to the world's oldest motor racing venue. The event plays host to the launch of Twisted Spire Blond Beer, Hobsons latest addition to its range of contemporary ales brewed using traditional, sustainable methods.

Telford & Wrekin Council have announced today (29 JUNE) that Accord Housing Group has been successful in tendering to provide a 24 hour care and support service at Parkwood in Woodside.

Parkwood, an Extra Care Housing Scheme, is a partnership venture. The Wrekin Housing Trust own the building and will be the landlord responsible for managing both the building and the tenancies of the £9m scheme, while the care and support services has been commissioned by Telford & Wrekin Council.

Telford and Wrekin residents are encouraged to have their say on licensing as part of a consultation which starts on 29 June. The Council is consulting people on the Statement of Licensing Policy which is issued under the Licensing Act 2003.

In a bold move to introduce a theatrical slice of summer magic for audiences and open a new chapter in local events celebrating the arts in Telford, Horsehay Amateur Dramatics Society, will launch their first ever summer festival of one-act plays.

This local theatre extravaganza will be staged at the Horsehay Village Hall Trust theatre venue this July.

The playbill will comprise a mixture of mini-masterpieces written by authors of recognised brilliance and also to introduce new local talent will add the spice of a play written by a member from its own ranks.

A garden designed by a Telford & Wrekin Council officer to attract butterflies has been awarded third place at this year's BBC Gardeners' World Live. Keith Slater, a member of the Council's Environmental Maintenance team, was one of nine horticultural students to be asked to design a garden for the Birmingham Borders section of the prestigious event at Birmingham NEC.

(PICTURED: Proud Keith with his garden)

In an attempt to better understand what local people think about policing in their area, from this summer West Mercia Police will consult them four times more often.

The winners of Shropshire's Battle of the Bands are to play at Telford's new music festival, Park Live on 25 July. Indie rockers, The Jackdaws, will be one of the headline acts at the music festival which will feature a range of alternative and popular bands.

The group recently battled it out to win the Battle of the Bands at the Theatre Severn having only entered the contest at the last minute.