The Newsroom

A selection of reader letters and a historical photograph from the West Midlands includes a comparison of Renault’s continued success after French nationalisation with British Leyland’s contrasting fate. Other contributors argue that owners should be responsible for cats that roam onto roads, complain about long telephone waits at a GP surgery and limited digital access, and praise the BBC drama Ann Droid for its thoughtful and humorous treatment of grief.

Dudley College of Technology promotes its range of post-school options, including A Levels at Dudley Sixth, vocational courses, T Levels and apprenticeships. The college highlights strong 2025/26 A-level results, with 26 of 31 subjects achieving a 100% pass rate and particularly strong outcomes in creative subjects. Student Dawood Ali Khan achieved A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths and plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham. A careers team is available to help prospective students choose a pathway, with September enrolment still open.

Central Saint Michael's Sixth Form is inviting students to enrol after GCSE results, offering more than 30 A Level and Level 3 courses aimed at university, apprenticeships and careers. The sixth form highlights its study facilities, pastoral and careers support, alumni outcomes and free year-round bus travel. Enrolment is open from noon to 7pm, with additional dates available through August and early September.

Sandwell College has opened enrolment for September, offering more than 100 courses and apprenticeships across areas including health and social care, engineering, construction, creative arts, business, sport, digital studies, and hair and beauty. The college promotes industry-standard facilities, practical experience, enrichment activities, careers guidance, wellbeing support and financial assistance, with free bus travel available to eligible 16–18-year-old school leavers.

The Wolverhampton Card Show XL will take place on 29–30 August across the Mander Centre and Wulfrun Centre, making it large enough to use two postcodes. The free event will feature 200 trader tables, Pokémon and One Piece trading cards, tournaments, workshops and activities for collectors, families and newcomers. Organiser Charles Barrett says free entry is intended to make the hobby more accessible.

Reader letters argue that Brexit has significantly harmed the UK economy through lower growth, investment, employment, productivity, manufacturing and EU exports, and call for renewed alignment with the European Union. Another letter condemns capitalism for concentrating global wealth among a small minority and questions its compatibility with Christian social principles. The page also includes a historical photograph caption about the formation of the Halfpenny Green Skydiving Club in 1975.

Stafford Grammar School reports its strongest A-Level performance since 2021, with 76% of grades at A*–B. Most students secured first-choice university places or competitive degree apprenticeships, while five of the 35 students will study Medicine or Veterinary Science. Six students achieved straight A* and A grades, including Hritik Sanyal, who earned four A*s and will study Medicine at the University of Cambridge.

The Carabao Cup second-round draw sends West Bromwich Albion to Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers to Sheffield Wednesday and Walsall to Leyton Orient, with ties scheduled for the week beginning August 24. Wolves advanced after beating Port Vale 3-0, West Brom defeated Rotherham United 4-1, and Walsall recorded the round's biggest upset by beating Championship side Bristol City 1-0.

Phil Parkes, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper who made more than 380 appearances for the club, has died. John Lalley recalls Parkes's remarkable consistency, his disappointment at missing the 1974 League Cup final, his key performances in Wolves' 1972 UEFA Cup run, and his loyalty in returning to play against West Ham just before moving to Canada. Parkes later won the Soccer Bowl with Vancouver Whitecaps and was named the league's best goalkeeper three times. Remembered for his humour, resilience and enduring devotion to Wolves, he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2023 after suffering life-changing injuries in 2025.

AFC Wolverhampton City overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Congleton Town 3-2 in an FA Cup shock, with two penalties helping secure progression. Lye Town also advanced comfortably, while several regional sides were eliminated, including Stourport Swifts, Dudley Town, Tividale and Darlaston Town. Wednesfield Community won on penalties in the Edwards Case Cup, AFC Bridgnorth defeated Bilston Town in a shootout, and Wolverhampton Casuals maintained their perfect league start.

West Bromwich Albion opened their season with a 4–1 victory over Rotherham United in the Carabao Cup first round. Jimmy-Jay Morgan scored twice on his debut, while Harry Whitwell and Felix Horn Myhre also netted their first goals for the club. Rotherham offered limited resistance, although Fabio Tavares scored late, and West Brom advanced to the second round ahead of their Championship opener at Norwich.

Darlaston Town manager Adam Pearce views the club’s relegation as an opportunity to reset and establish a new culture. After a difficult end to last season, including a 13-0 defeat by Avro, the club has recruited more than 18 players for its 2026/27 Midland League Premier Division campaign. Pearce is prioritising consistency, intensity and gradual improvement rather than demanding immediate success, beginning with Saturday’s home fixture against Stone Old Alleynians. The preview also lists fixtures involving clubs across the Midland, North West Counties and Hellenic leagues.

Birmingham gymnast Gabriel Langton said he is eager to return to training after falling head first from three metres during the men’s team event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. He missed a catch on the horizontal bar but scans found no serious injury or concussion, allowing him to rejoin Team England while wearing the silver medal the team won. Langton described the incident as a freak accident, with doctors and physiotherapists planning a gradual return to gymnastics.

Midlands homeowners face slower property sales as rising prices and cautious buyers extend selling times, with nearly half of UK listings failing to secure a buyer. Common mistakes include overpricing, ignoring feedback, leaving properties empty and unattractive, delaying strategy changes, and assuming an offer guarantees completion. Professional cash buyers such as House Buyer Bureau offer a faster, more certain alternative for sellers who prioritise speed and stability over maximum market value, with the company emphasising reduced stress, no chains, and covered legal fees for those using recommended solicitors.

West Bromwich Albion opened their 2026–27 pre‑season with a 3–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at St George’s Park, featuring goals from Krystian Bielik, Jimmy‑Jay Morgan and Alex Mowatt. New signings gained match time, alongside multiple youth players, as extensive squad rotations were used across both halves. The performance offered a strong start ahead of the club’s upcoming training camp in Portugal, with several senior players still absent due to injury recovery or delayed returns from international duty.

Residents reported widespread delays, missed collections and poor communication following the introduction of Dudley’s new recycling and food‑waste service. Many described bins left uncollected for days or weeks, damaged containers, recruitment issues and confusion over separated recyclables being mixed during collection. Councillor Damian Corfield apologised and attributed delays partly to a depot closure and driver shortages, while outlining steps to expand routes, vehicles and staffing. Local opposition figures highlighted significant backlogs across waste services. A small minority of residents expressed understanding toward collection crews.

Henry Searle’s Wimbledon run ended with a straight‑sets doubles defeat alongside Dan Evans, marking Evans’s final professional match. Despite a late push in the second set, the British pair fell to ninth seeds Hugo Nys and Édouard Roger‑Vasselin. Evans reflected positively on finishing his career partnering Searle, whom he now coaches, and looked ahead to the next chapter after a 20‑year career that included two ATP titles and a key role in Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup victory.

The Mander Centre is hosting a free-to-play table football event from 13–19 July, encouraging visitors to join in, play solo or with friends, and collect medals. Donations to the Wolves Foundation are welcomed but optional, and attendees are invited to share their participation on social media and follow centre updates online.

Lexie Walker secured selection for the under‑19 European Championships in Serbia after a series of major wins, including titles in Sweden, Portugal and the Four Nations event where she defeated Irish champion Clare Crowley. The 18‑year‑old attributes her progress to improved movement and body punching while maintaining her trademark intensity. Her success contributes to a strong year for Wolverhampton ABC, following Ollie Cooper’s recent national title.