Kevin Reide

Arsenal founder David Danskin and Coventry City founder Willie Stanley are both buried in Coventry's London Road Cemetery, creating a little-known historical link between the clubs. Both men had lain in unmarked graves for decades before supporters and historians secured permanent memorials: Stanley's in 2007 and Danskin's in 2019, when Arsenal funded a headstone. Historians and descendants hope the shared heritage will strengthen the relationship between the two fanbases.

Thousands of people attended the Sandwell and Birmingham Mela at Victoria Park in Smethwick, a major South Asian music festival featuring more than 150 artists. Alongside music and dance performances, visitors enjoyed theatre, street food, a shopping bazaar, funfair and arts village. Attendees praised the event’s atmosphere and its role in bringing different communities together.

Warwickshire veteran and serving police officer Scott Caswell was surprised at an event organized by Veterans Contact Point to recognize his years of charity work. He has completed demanding fundraising challenges, including running 40 miles a day for five days while cycling between runs, and has received the British Empire Medal. Caswell, who served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, says supporting veterans is central to his efforts. Labour MP Jodie Gosling called for stronger implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant amid rising homelessness and mental health problems among veterans. Caswell’s next planned challenge is a run from Warwick Castle to the Tower of London.

Warwick Folk Festival has introduced fire-safety measures because unusually hot and dry conditions have left the grass highly susceptible to fire. Visitors have been asked not to use barbecues on the ground and to elevate camping stoves, while fire buckets have been placed around the site. The precautions follow a rise in grass and outdoor fires across the West Midlands, including major blazes in Herefordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and near Bridgnorth.

Warwick Folk Festival has introduced fire-safety measures because unusually hot, dry weather has left the grass parched and vulnerable to ignition. Barbecues are prohibited on the ground, camping stoves must be raised above the grass, and fire buckets have been placed around the site. The precautions come as firefighters across the West Midlands tackle rapidly spreading grassfires, including a major wildfire in Herefordshire and suspected deliberate fires in Stoke-on-Trent.

Birmingham marked the first anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death with large public celebrations dubbed Ozzy Day, attracting fans from across the UK and abroad. Crowds visited city landmarks linked to the musician, posed with a specially decorated mechanical bull, and watched performances by Bostin Brass and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Fans shared personal stories of Osbourne’s impact, while Sharon Osbourne encouraged people to remember him by playing his music loudly and Tony Iommi posted a tribute reflecting on their friendship. The event highlighted widespread admiration for the heavy metal icon.