Sarah Julian

The Birmingham European Athletics Championships recorded total attendance of 218,135 across 13 sessions, averaging about 16,780 spectators and representing nearly three-quarters of Alexander Stadium's capacity. The figure exceeded organizers' targets, despite criticism over more than 9,000 empty seats and the £150 price of some opening-night tickets. Organizers said later evening sessions sold out, while free city-centre events and a fan zone attracted additional visitors. The championships also featured Amy Hunt's four gold medals and are expected to leave a legacy through youth sport, jobs and skills programmes.

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

Research by the BBC England Data Unit found that one third of children in the West Midlands cannot swim 25 metres by the end of primary school, including 42% of Year 6 pupils in Wolverhampton and 46% in Birmingham. Alice Dearing called the gap disappointing and emphasized swimming and water safety as essential life skills, particularly during a heatwave. Nationally, only 70% of 2024–25 Year 6 leavers could perform a safe self-rescue, falling to half among pupils from schools with the highest free-meal eligibility. Swimming providers cited limited six-week lesson programmes, inconsistent provision and transport costs. The Department for Education said its new PE Partnership Network, involving schools, local clubs and national bodies including Swim England, would target disadvantaged pupils and areas.

The Cannock Chase pigman legend describes a seven-foot half-human, half-pig creature allegedly created through wartime experiments and seen near Castle Ring. Historian Richard Pursehouse traces the story to 1960s rumors about World War Two research, while historian Emma Newlands confirms that secret military experiments occurred but rejects the plausibility of creating a human-pig hybrid. Folklorist Ceri Houlbrook argues that the tale has endured because people enjoy frightening mysteries and because the pigman has become a distinctive source of local identity and pride.

Torbjorn Heggem’s father credits West Bromwich Albion for enabling his son's rise from relative obscurity in Sweden to representing Norway in the World Cup quarter-final against England. The family praises the club’s support, fan reception and training environment, noting that his season in the West Midlands transformed his career before a transfer to Bologna. As Norway prepares to face England, the family anticipates a competitive match, predicting a narrow Norwegian victory with Heggem tasked with containing Harry Kane.

A Solihull community group, Blossom & Belong, is raising funds to host a sensory‑friendly prom for teenage girls who missed their school prom due to anxiety, autism, ADHD or sensory issues. Founder Fay Joesbury created the group after her daughter struggled socially and now provides weekly supportive activities for girls experiencing school avoidance. The prom will feature accessibility measures including a silent disco, sensory spaces and fidget toys, with charity Madrina supplying free donated prom outfits. Despite initial concerns, the girls are highly enthusiastic about the upcoming event.

An England supporter living in Benidorm, Ashley Price, passed up a ticket for England’s match against DR Congo to secure one for the last‑16 game against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. England’s late comeback against DR Congo left him briefly doubting the decision, but rising demand for Mexico tickets, some selling for several thousand euros, confirmed its value. Price chose to close his bar to watch the match alone, and now plans to fly from Madrid to Mexico, noting England’s strong team despite Mexico’s formidable record at the Azteca.

A sinkhole that forced the closure of a road in Brownhills has sharply reduced footfall for local businesses, with some reporting losses of about 30 percent. Traders say they have received little communication about the duration of repairs, which Severn Trent expects to continue into next week. Business owners express concern over declining trade and uncertainty while traffic is diverted and engineers work to replace damaged piping.

An 11‑year‑old paraplegic boy named Ted completed the Three Peaks Challenge with help from family and friends to raise funds for the children’s charity Molly Ollys, unexpectedly meeting Catherine, Princess of Wales, on all three mountains. Catherine, who was completing the challenge herself in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, spoke with Ted, later donating to his fundraiser. The group endured difficult weather conditions but surpassed their 30‑hour target, with donations rising significantly following media attention. Ted’s father described the experience as both tough and uplifting, expressing hope that Ted’s story will inspire other children facing similar challenges.

An 11-year-old paraplegic boy named Ted completed the Three Peaks Challenge with support from family and friends, repeatedly meeting Catherine, Princess of Wales, who was completing the same challenge to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Catherine interacted warmly with Ted and later donated to his fundraiser for Molly Ollys, which surpassed its initial target. Ted’s father described the physical difficulty of the challenge and shared the story of Ted’s paralysis caused by an aggressive spinal tumour. Media attention following their encounters with Catherine boosted donations and inspired broader support.