Michael Ribbeck

DMU Group West Midlands, based at the Severn Valley Railway, is celebrating 35 years of operating heritage first-generation diesel multiple units. The group is also marking the approaching first anniversary of its participation in The Greatest Gathering at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, held in August 2025 as part of the Railway 200 celebrations. A donation from the event will support the preservation and continued operation of the historic vehicles. The group will run a Summer Special Train on August 15, with tickets priced at £10 for members and £20 for non-members.

Year 6 pupils across Central Region Schools Trust’s primary schools in Worcestershire, Birmingham and Sandwell achieved SATs scores above the national average. The trust attributed the results to pupils’ efforts, staff expertise, family support and collaborative practices, while highlighting enrichment activities including a virtual art exhibition and a leadership programme delivered with Birmingham Newman University. CRST educates more than 7,000 pupils across 14 schools and promotes an ethos of social justice through exceptional schools.