Andrew Dawkins

England hockey forward Nick Bandurak reflects on beginning his career at Cannock Hockey Club and his pride in representing England. The Wolverhampton-born player scored three goals in wins over India and Wales after England also defeated Pakistan to top their World Cup pool. He discusses his sporting family, early experiences with hockey and the uneven availability of top-class facilities in the West Midlands, before looking ahead to England’s second pool-stage match against Argentina in Amstelveen.

The Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships drew 218,135 spectators across 13 sessions, averaging about 16,780 attendees and nearly three-quarters of Alexander Stadium's capacity. Although the opening session faced criticism over empty seats and high ticket prices, organizers and Birmingham City Council said sales surpassed targets, with three successive sold-out evening sessions later in the competition. Free city-centre events and a fan zone also attracted thousands, while the council said the championships would create a lasting legacy through community sport, jobs and skills initiatives.

A shortage of specialist facilities for processing fridges and freezers has caused recycling-centre backlogs across the UK, with Warwickshire storing more than 1,000 appliances and about 150 at its Stratford-upon-Avon site. Warwickshire County Council’s waste-management chief Andrew Pau warns the capacity problem is becoming a national crisis, worsened by hot weather, facility fires and commercial closures. The Environment Agency has allowed temporary storage until April 2027, while councils warn residents about rogue collectors and potential fly-tipping liability. The government says storage rules have been relaxed and expects the situation to ease when temperatures fall.

Lord Peter Snape, a former Labour MP for West Bromwich East who has died aged 84, is being remembered for his long public service and advocacy for local communities. A former railway worker, he served as an MP from 1974 to 2001, held government and opposition roles, led Bredbury and Romiley Urban District Council, and became a life peer in 2004. Sandwell council leaders Ray Nock and Paul Moore praised his dedication to constituents and his contribution to the borough, where he was made an Honorary Freeman in 2009.

Basmati Restaurant in Great Barr has been named Outstanding Restaurant of the Year at the English Curry Awards in Wolverhampton. Owner Taj Ahmed credited customers’ recommendations, feedback and votes, while judges also recognised the restaurant’s charity work and links with local football clubs. Titash Restaurant won Best of Birmingham, with owner Jameel Ali highlighting its traditional railway lamb curry. The awards also celebrated restaurants and food businesses across a range of regional and culinary categories, alongside Birmingham’s history as a centre of Bangladeshi and Pakistani curry culture.

Travel journalist Chris Moss's book, Where Tourists Seldom Tread, Postcards from Bypassed Britain, highlights Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall as overlooked destinations. Moss praises Wolverhampton's architecture, pop art collection and the Posada pub; Dudley's Black Country Living Museum and Duncan Edwards statue; and Walsall's New Art Gallery. He argues that many travelers pass through Midlands towns without visiting them and says exploring these places has challenged his own regional prejudices.

Wolverhampton residents Steve Morris and Brian Gunter are raising £7,000 to buy a truck for evacuating wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Organized through the charity Driving Ukraine, the pair plan to travel about 1,300 miles to Lviv in convoy on 23 September, deliver the vehicle to the Ukrainian army, and return by train. The mission follows their 2022 aid trip, when they delivered food and medical supplies, and is motivated by personal connections with Ukrainians affected by the war.

Edward's Trust, a Birmingham-based charity supporting bereaved parents, children and young people across the West Midlands, says it is at financial crisis point and needs to raise £200,000 within six months to continue operating. Founded in 1989, the charity supports more than 600 families or about 800 clients annually, reaching over 3,000 family members through counselling, wellbeing therapies and support groups. Service users describe its assistance as essential, while the charity warns that losing the service would remove a vital community lifeline. The funding crisis comes amid wider pressure on charity shops caused by higher wages, energy costs and changing shopping habits.

Work has begun to refurbish Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, increasing capacity in its main auditorium from 650 to 714 seats. Shropshire Council expects the additional ticket, food and drink income to repay the investment within three years, strengthening the venue’s contribution to its wider financial recovery plans. Deputy leader Alex Wagner called the theatre a local success story and said the improvements would attract higher-quality acts. The work is due to finish before the theatre’s first public event on 5 September, with strong demand reported for its upcoming Aladdin pantomime and a record-breaking Sleeping Beauty production cited as evidence of the venue’s popularity.

Mahroy Stephenson, 30, has been charged with wounding and assaulting police officers during incidents in Birmingham, including allegedly striking one officer with a baton. He also faces charges related to allegedly wounding a man and woman and stealing jewellery worth £9,000. Stephenson is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 28 August.

England and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has received an honorary doctorate in sports science from the University of Wolverhampton. The award recognizes her football achievements, including helping England win Euro 2025, and her role as an inspiration to young people and aspiring female athletes. Hampton, who grew up in the Midlands, said she felt fortunate to receive the honor. The university also highlighted her success despite being born with strabismus. The award follows news that Hampton signed a new two-year contract with Chelsea.

Ocado has taken a 55,000 sq ft unit at Indurent Park Stoke Central, planning to open later this year and create hundreds of jobs in Stoke-on-Trent. The company has agreed a 15-year lease, securing the last available unit on the site, which includes solar panels and electric vehicle charging capability. The announcement follows earlier news that Ocado Group planned to cut around 1,000 jobs globally as part of a restructuring effort.

A renewed search in Romania’s Bucegi Mountains for missing British teenager George Smyth found no new clues after heavy winter snow finally melted in previously inaccessible areas. Rescue organisation Salvamont Brasov said some snow remains but appealed to tourists in the Valea Gypsy region to report any potential evidence with precise location details. Smyth’s family have accepted he likely died after disappearing in November.

A tribunal found teacher Tsvetelina Kaliszan smacked a young pupil on his bare bottom after he urinated in a ball pit at Elm Tree Primary Academy in Wednesbury. The Teaching Regulation Agency determined the act was intentional physical chastisement, contradicted her claim of a light tap, and noted she failed to report the incident. A previous police caution for assaulting a minor was also recorded. She has been banned from teaching indefinitely, with the option to request a review after two years.

Police named Sarah-Louise Pennington as the woman found dead in a Longton address while detectives were granted more time to question a 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder. Staffordshire Police said the victim’s family is receiving specialist support and confirmed no other suspects are being sought. Officers continue house-to-house inquiries and request CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from the public.

A Staffordshire police officer, Alex Trusler, pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court to four sexual assaults committed in 2022 and 2023. He was suspended once allegations surfaced in 2023 and will face misconduct proceedings. Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Marsh condemned his actions, calling them a betrayal of policing standards. Sentencing is scheduled for 8 September.

Private chef Zena Weeks describes how she tailors meals to support England and Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers' performance, balancing nutrition with occasional pre-match sweets such as apple crumble. Weeks coordinates with nutritionists to manage his carbohydrate and protein intake around training schedules and highlights his cooking ability and professionalism. Her work with athletes grew from earlier workshops and now includes initiatives encouraging children to learn cooking skills.

Staffordshire Police was judged inadequate in responding to the public by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, which highlighted failures in meeting incident response targets, allocating investigations appropriately, and handling non‑emergency calls. Inspectors acknowledged improvements in safeguarding and the use of stop-and-search powers. Staffordshire Police accepted the findings and noted ongoing measures, including additional staff, performance monitoring and strengthened neighbourhood policing. Concerns remain over workplace support for under‑represented groups, while the force pledges to improve service and maintain public confidence.

Community patrols and events are underway in Wolverhampton as part of anti-social behaviour awareness week, involving local authorities, police and housing organisations. Residents are being encouraged to report ASB ranging from graffiti and littering to intimidation and drug-related activity. Local officials emphasise the impact of ASB on wellbeing and stress that support is available, while a national campaign led by Resolve highlights its effects on communities.