Vale house sales slump

37 homes were sold in Castle Vale in 2008, compared with 89 in 2007 and 170 in 2006. Only two homes were sold in the last three months of 2008.

Cold spell set to continue well into New Year

The Met Office says that ‘confidence is high’ that the cold spell of weather will continue well into next week, and possibly beyond. Local weekend sport is likely to suffer again, as Friday night (2nd Jan) is likely to be the coldest night of the week, with temperatures falling to -6 degrees.

Hospice calls for unwanted gifts

The League of Friends of the John Taylor Hospice has launched a seasonal appeal for unwanted gifts – which they plan to use to raise funds for the Hospice.
Ray Woods a spokesman for the charity said: “Good quality gifts are always useful for fundraising. The money that we raise will go towards the care and [...]

Record year for Christmas Market

2,800,000 people visited Birmingham’s Frankfurt Market this year, according to Council estimates, – up from last year’s 2,200,000.
In its eight years, the number of stalls has expanded from 24 to 92.
Before they return to Germany, the stallholders will donate perishable produce such as ham, waffles, sausages, pretzels, vegetables and fruit, to people living in the [...]

Ciggy quitters 4 x boost

If you want help to stop smoking this New Year, BEN PCT are running free drop-in sessions which they say will increase by 400% a smoker’s chance of quitting the habit.
Sessions are being held at the following venues:
• Boots The Chemist, The Fort Shopping Park, B24 9FP on Saturdays 10am to 3pm
• Asda, Walmley Ash Road, [...]

Erdington Conservatives call for Government action to save Jaguar

Erdington Conservatives are calling on the Labour Government to take action and ensure that jobs are not lost at local car manufacturer Jaguar and that the Company survives the economic slump.
Erdington Conservative Constituency Spokesman Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington, Conservative) said: “This Government needs to take action now before it is too late for the residents [...]

Smith shows star quality

Simeon Smith scored the only goal of the game at Farnborough Road to give Castle Vale victory over Continental Star in the premier division of the Midland Combination. The three points take Vale up to sixth place, with games in hand over all the teams above them.
JKS’s were once again victims of the weather; their [...]

How to combat flu

Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at Bimingham East and North PCT, gives advice on how to look after yourself if you get a cold or flu:
“Most people now know that antibiotics will not get rid of cold or flu viruses. If you do feel unwell, try to rest, eat well and keep well hydrated. [...]

No too late for flu jabs

Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust (BEN PCT) are reminding people that it’s not too late to protect yourself from flu.
BEN PCT Immunisation Lead Yvonne Green said: “GP practices still have plenty of stocks of the flu vaccine left, which can keep vulnerable people safe from this serious illness. If you know you are [...]

Gloomy local jobless figures

strong>Unemployment in the Erdington constituency is more than double the national average, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office this week. 10.4% of the working-age population are out of work in the area, which includes Castle Vale, Tyburn, Kingstanding and Stockland Green. The national figure is 5.2% unemployed.
Erdington has the fourth highest unemployment [...]