Vanessa Pearce

The site of Coventry City's former Highfield Road stadium is set to be renamed Highfield Road Park in tribute to the club's 106-year home. The Sky Blue Archive has worked with Coventry City Council and local residents and fans on the project, which will also include a dementia bench, vision boards showing the stadium's history, and restored commemorative signage. The council will install a new sign built with help from LFE Engineering and Coventry Neweld, although a date has not yet been confirmed.

Passengers flying from Birmingham Airport to holiday destinations including Rhodes, Ibiza and Paphos said baggage-system problems left them without essential belongings and, in some cases, unable to leave the aircraft after learning their luggage would not travel. Alex Griffiths said a passenger’s cancer medication was stranded and that his family incurred hundreds of euros in replacement costs. Other travelers described lost holiday time, difficulty obtaining compensation and inadequate communication from Jet2 and TUI. Birmingham Airport apologized and said it was working with airlines and third parties to reunite passengers with their bags; some luggage had been recovered, but several passengers were still waiting.

Stray cats Murphy and Fargo have become popular fixtures at Coventry venues. Murphy lives at The Old Windmill pub, while Fargo regularly appears at Fargo Village’s bars, shops, gigs and rave nights, attracting visitors who follow their activities on social media. Local businesses have cared for the cats, sought information about their owners and arranged veterinary treatment. Merchandise featuring both cats is being sold to fund Fargo’s wellbeing and Murphy-related sales have raised about £80 for Coventry Foodbank, with further animal-welfare donations planned.

Two stray cats, Murphy and Fargo, have become unofficial celebrities at Coventry pubs, music venues and rave nights. Murphy lives at The Old Windmill, while Fargo regularly visits Fargo Village, The Box and gigs at Just Dropped In. Their popularity has attracted visitors through social media and inspired merchandise, with proceeds supporting veterinary care, animal welfare and Coventry Foodbank. Staff have also sought to identify Fargo's owner and ensure both cats receive appropriate veterinary treatment.

Hundreds of passengers departing Birmingham Airport were left without luggage after continuing problems with the airport’s baggage systems. Travelers flying to destinations including Turkey, Italy and Cyprus reported receiving little information, incurring substantial costs for essentials and, in some cases, risking missed cruise departures or important events. Birmingham Airport said engineers were working to resolve the issue and that airlines and other parties were helping reunite passengers with their bags. Passengers praised the need for clearer communication and questioned who would cover their expenses, while TUI was approached for comment.

Hundreds of passengers departing Birmingham Airport were separated from their luggage after a continuing baggage-system failure. Travellers flying to destinations including Turkey, Italy and Cyprus reported receiving little information from the airport or airlines, incurring expenses for essential items and, in some cases, risking missed cruises or wedding plans. Birmingham Airport said engineers were working to restore the system and that Jet2 and other parties were helping reunite passengers with their bags; TUI had been approached for comment.

Chance Glassworks of Smethwick, later known as Chance Brothers and Company, supplied glass for landmarks including the Crystal Palace, Big Ben and the White House and developed advanced lighthouse lenses used at roughly 580 sites worldwide. The story of engineer Orlando Stokes, who travelled internationally to install the lenses, has inspired the family play Cape Custard - A Lighthouse Adventure. The company once employed 3,500 people and supported its workforce through housing, pensions and a school, but closed in 1981 after Pilkington Brothers took control. Its derelict Smethwick site is now the subject of a regeneration effort led by the Chance Heritage Trust, supported by heritage funding and an interactive global lighthouse map.

Sexual assault survivor Jade Belgrove says she is relieved after the UK government paused plans that could have allowed prisoners to be released after serving one-third of their sentences. Belgrove feared that Simon Tyler, who was sentenced to nine years for three rapes and a sexual assault against her, could be freed years early. She said the policy made her feel that the justice she had pursued for a decade was being taken away and urged ministers to put survivors at the centre of an urgent review. The scheme was introduced to address prison overcrowding, but the government said public safety would remain the priority.

An artist retraced the work of his great-great-uncle Sydney Bunney by revisiting and reinterpreting the Coventry locations Bunney painted more than a century ago, resulting in the book After Bunney. The project uncovered new details about Bunney’s life, revealed how much of the city has changed, and highlighted renewed interest in his miniature watercolours preserved by the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.

Bill Ward told fans he increasingly uses a wheelchair for mobility at public events but emphasized he is healthy, still able to walk short distances and remains committed to drumming. His message aimed to reassure supporters and maintain transparency. The announcement drew significant fan response and follows his reunion performance with original Black Sabbath members in 2025, shortly before Ozzy Osbourne’s death. Ward recently marked his 78th birthday and reflected on his long life and career.

Bill Ward said he increasingly uses a wheelchair but remains able to walk short distances and continues to play drums, emphasising he is not retiring or unwell. He described adopting the aid about 18 months ago and shared it publicly to reassure fans. Fans responded widely as he reflected on recent performances with his original Black Sabbath bandmates and noted Ozzy Osbourne’s death following long‑term health issues. Ward recently celebrated turning 78 and said he intends to continue performing.

Police investigating the 2022 shooting death of Mohammed Kasim in Small Heath have identified five men they want to interview, all of whom have links to Birmingham. A second man wounded in the attack has recovered. Five individuals were originally arrested in 2022 and later bailed, and police have not confirmed whether any overlap with the new group sought. Detectives stress the case remains active and continue to support the victim’s family.

Planned industrial action by TSSA members will significantly reduce rail services across the West Midlands on Friday and Saturday, affecting major routes through Birmingham, Wolverhampton and surrounding counties. West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway warn of very limited services, early shutdowns and late starts, urging passengers to travel only if necessary. The union argues members are seeking parity in rest-day working payments and hopes for a resolution to avoid future disruption.

Birmingham prepares to host the European Athletics Championships from 10 to 16 August, marking the first time the event will be held in the UK. More than 1,500 athletes from around 50 countries will compete at the renovated Alexander Stadium, with travel guidance provided for spectators. The North Stand has been renamed after Olympic silver medallist Matthew Hudson‑Smith, and the week concludes with multiple finals and a city-centre Unity 5K run open to the public.

The Specials are releasing their final album, recorded over four live performances at Coventry Cathedral, as a tribute to late frontman Terry Hall. Band members Lynval Golding and Horace Panter describe the shows as emotionally powerful and reflective of their connection to Coventry. The album spans 24 songs including major hits and tracks from their 2019 number-one album Encore, with themes that remain socially relevant. Band members praise Hall’s songwriting and charisma, noting the album captures his humor and presence. Events in Coventry will mark the release on 10 July.

A mini-mart in Sandwell has been closed for three months after a BBC undercover investigation found cocaine, cannabis and prescription medicines being openly sold. Authorities subsequently seized additional illegal substances, and the shop was deemed a serious public nuisance. Trading Standards documented repeated issues, including illicit goods and antisocial behaviour. Police arrested two suspects linked to drug activity, and the government is considering expanded powers to close illegal shops for up to a year.

A long‑running male voice choir from Kingswinford recorded a charity version of the Black Country Anthem at Abbey Road Studios, describing the experience as emotional and “unbelievable.” Written by James Stevens a decade ago, the anthem will raise funds for the cancer charity Maggie’s. Choir members reflected on personal connections to the music, including one singer who completed leukaemia treatment during the pandemic, crediting the choir’s online rehearsals with helping him through recovery. The group expressed pride in recording at the historic studio, noting its association with generations of musicians.