birminghammail--2020-08-13--Fears 'dark kitchens' could deliver booze to under-18s via apps

Police fear a new takeaway business in Birmingham aiming to deliver food and drink using courier apps could encourage sales of alcohol to under 18s .
Police have raised concerns that there would be no accountability for under-age alcohol sales under a proposed “ dark kitchens ” model , where drinks arrive via delivery app couriers .
But the Foodstars company - which has applied for a premises licence at a former warehouse in Manchester Street , Newtown - said other shops already sell alcohol in Birmingham using this delivery option .
The business intends to allow 40 kitchen spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would supply orders to customers exclusively using delivery brands such as Deliveroo , Just Eat and Uber Eats .
The model has been dubbed `` dark kitchens '' and Foodstars already operates a number of locations in London .
The company intends to allow kitchens to take alcohol sales alongside food orders in the new Birmingham branch .
But West Midlands Police have raised concerns about sales to under-18s and people who are already drunk .
Police had already suggested either the company employs its own delivery staff or there is a 24-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second condition was resisted by Foodstars .
Representatives of the company said the delivery drivers would be responsible for checking customers are old enough and not drunk , and would refuse to hand over the delivery if they were not satisfied .
At a Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committee yesterday , licensing officer PC Abdool Rohomon said : “ The point the sale is made is the point the alcohol is delivered from the company to the driver , the courier .
The premises do not commit an offence [ if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or under-age ] .
“ That driver delivers it to a person who is drunk - they don ’ t commit an offence .
“ If your 16-year-old grandson was drunk , the driver does not commit an offence and neither does the premises [ at the point the alcohol is handed over to him ] .
“ For me , it comes down to the culpability and accountability if it should go wrong - there is no comeback on the premises licence holders .
“ Offences can not be committed by anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being proposed to you .
“ The way we saw that to be remedied was by saying ‘ they must employ their own drivers ’ .
“ There is nothing that the premises could do if they are employing third-party delivery drivers that would give us the confidence and that degree of accountability.
” He repeated the alternative suggestion of delaying delivery via the courier apps for 24 hours .
A representative for Foodstars said they had found alcohol available from a number of operators via Deliveroo in Birmingham , and PC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seniha Gazioglu , account manager for Foodstars , said during the meeting : “ By having a premises licence , our goal is to allow restaurants who hold a personal licence , who have a kitchen in our premises , to be able to create the restaurant experience at home for their customers .
“ Those who don ’ t feel comfortable leaving their homes or aren ’ t able to leave homes have the option and sheer mental relief of being able to order from their favourite restaurant and enjoy a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are not looking to set up another online liquor store .
Rather we are trying to encourage a culture of having alcohol with food as a dining experience and allowing customers to have this experience at home .
” Not only does this reduce the spread of the virus , but also we believe it reduces other risk factors such as drunk driving and drunk walking .
” We will not be dispatching any orders that are just alcohol .
“ There are many online retailers that sell alcohol on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as grocery stores , petrol stations and breweries just to name a few , as well as other restaurants .
“ We are seeking to be responsible and accountable.
” In response to concerns from police , Ms Gazioglu said the company believed it would be fully responsible for “ where and whom ” the orders are delivered to .
She added all orders come in directly to the individual restaurants and kitchens and they are able to refuse any orders consisting of just alcohol .
Foodstars are able to `` vet '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers , she said and CCTV would be available to police .
She said delivery drivers would be required to enter the date of birth of customers ordering an age-restricted item and Foodstars would monitor this , including refusals .
She said : “ It should be no different to using delivery drivers that are hired directly by Foodstars .
“ The reason why we have not agreed to the [ proposed condition of a 24-hour delay ] is that there are many restaurants selling alcohol and food online who are not required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” We are simply looking for the same trading conditions so our kitchens have a fair chance of doing business .
“ We do not believe our offering of our kitchens will appeal to people who are under-age or drunk and trying to obtain alcohol.
” The company has applied for a licence to sell alcohol between 11am and 11pm every day and hot food and hot drink between 11pm and 2am seven days a week .
The application will now be considered by the sub-committee which consists of chair Cllr Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kauser ( Lab ) and Cllr Martin Straker Welds ( Lab ) who will announce their decision in due course .

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Police fear a new takeaway business in Birmingham aiming to deliver food and drink using courier apps could encourage sales of alcohol to under 18s.
Police have raised concerns that there would be no accountability for under-age alcohol sales under a proposed “dark kitchens” model, where drinks arrive via delivery app couriers.
But the Foodstars company - which has applied for a premises licence at a former warehouse in Manchester Street, Newtown - said other shops already sell alcohol in Birmingham using this delivery option.
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The business intends to allow 40 kitchen spaces to be hired by food restaurants which would supply orders to customers exclusively using delivery brands such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.
The model has been dubbed "dark kitchens" and Foodstars already operates a number of locations in London.
The company intends to allow kitchens to take alcohol sales alongside food orders in the new Birmingham branch.
But West Midlands Police have raised concerns about sales to under-18s and people who are already drunk.
Police had already suggested either the company employs its own delivery staff or there is a 24-hour delay between alcohol orders and delivery.
The second condition was resisted by Foodstars.
Representatives of the company said the delivery drivers would be responsible for checking customers are old enough and not drunk, and would refuse to hand over the delivery if they were not satisfied.
At a Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committee yesterday, licensing officer PC Abdool Rohomon said: “The point the sale is made is the point the alcohol is delivered from the company to the driver, the courier. The premises do not commit an offence [if the person who made the order was drunk or under-age].
“That driver delivers it to a person who is drunk - they don’t commit an offence.
(Image: Google)
“If your 16-year-old grandson was drunk, the driver does not commit an offence and neither does the premises [at the point the alcohol is handed over to him].
“For me, it comes down to the culpability and accountability if it should go wrong - there is no comeback on the premises licence holders.
“Offences cannot be committed by anybody currently in the way that operating style is being proposed to you.
“The way we saw that to be remedied was by saying ‘they must employ their own drivers’.
“There is nothing that the premises could do if they are employing third-party delivery drivers that would give us the confidence and that degree of accountability.”
He repeated the alternative suggestion of delaying delivery via the courier apps for 24 hours.
A representative for Foodstars said they had found alcohol available from a number of operators via Deliveroo in Birmingham, and PC Rohomon said this would be looked into.
Seniha Gazioglu, account manager for Foodstars, said during the meeting: “By having a premises licence, our goal is to allow restaurants who hold a personal licence, who have a kitchen in our premises, to be able to create the restaurant experience at home for their customers.
“Those who don’t feel comfortable leaving their homes or aren’t able to leave homes have the option and sheer mental relief of being able to order from their favourite restaurant and enjoy a meal with a fine glass of wine.
“We are not looking to set up another online liquor store. Rather we are trying to encourage a culture of having alcohol with food as a dining experience and allowing customers to have this experience at home.
”Not only does this reduce the spread of the virus, but also we believe it reduces other risk factors such as drunk driving and drunk walking.
”We will not be dispatching any orders that are just alcohol.
“There are many online retailers that sell alcohol on delivery platforms in the Birmingham area such as grocery stores, petrol stations and breweries just to name a few, as well as other restaurants.
“We are seeking to be responsible and accountable.”
In response to concerns from police, Ms Gazioglu said the company believed it would be fully responsible for “where and whom” the orders are delivered to.
She added all orders come in directly to the individual restaurants and kitchens and they are able to refuse any orders consisting of just alcohol.
Foodstars are able to "vet" all orders before they are handed to drivers, she said and CCTV would be available to police.
She said delivery drivers would be required to enter the date of birth of customers ordering an age-restricted item and Foodstars would monitor this, including refusals.
She said: “It should be no different to using delivery drivers that are hired directly by Foodstars.
“The reason why we have not agreed to the [proposed condition of a 24-hour delay] is that there are many restaurants selling alcohol and food online who are not required to make orders 24 hours in advance.
”We are simply looking for the same trading conditions so our kitchens have a fair chance of doing business.
“We do not believe our offering of our kitchens will appeal to people who are under-age or drunk and trying to obtain alcohol.”
The company has applied for a licence to sell alcohol between 11am and 11pm every day and hot food and hot drink between 11pm and 2am seven days a week.
The application will now be considered by the sub-committee which consists of chair Cllr Mike Leddy (Lab), Cllr Nagina Kauser (Lab) and Cllr Martin Straker Welds (Lab) who will announce their decision in due course.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--"Scary near misses" fuel calls for crossing at speed bump site

A Solihull street once claimed to be home to one of Britain 's most dangerous speed bumps has found itself at the centre of another road safety row .
Residents are worried the area around one of the humps on Hurdis Road , Shirley , was becoming a risk because of how many cars were parking at the spot .
More than 500 people have voiced concerns about someone being hurt at the site , at the entrance to Shirley Park , and backed the calls for a crossing .
Helen Polhill , who started the online petition , described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accident waiting to happen '' .
`` It is a busy thoroughfare for members of the public crossing to get to and from the park , but it is becoming increasingly dangerous to do so due to the large number of parked cars at this spot , '' she said .
`` The cars are regularly parking on the speed bump , either side of the speed bump , on the pavement directly outside the park entrance .
`` It makes it incredibly difficult when cars are parked like this to see cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As well as the risk to young families visiting the park , and other pedestrians , the issue is said to be frustrating residents trying to get off their drive .
Louise Hunt is among those to sign Ms Polhill 's petition .
She said : `` I ’ ve seen some scary near misses and want kids to be safe . ''
Another supporter , Simon Atkins , said action was `` long overdue '' .
`` Parking down that road is a nightmare , and I 'm surprised no-one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cllr Tim Hodgson said he fully supported Ms Polhill 's campaign .
`` During lockdown in particular , and prior to that , we have seen cars parking inconsiderately across the speed hump and across the pavement which is very dangerous for pedestrians trying to cross the road .
`` The council needs to install a formal crossing and apply double yellow lines either side of it to stop this dangerous parking and make it safer for everyone . ''
In 2007 , another of Hurdis Road 's sleeping policemen had hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the worst in Britain .
Motorists had claimed the first hump in the row was higher on one side , causing vehicles to hit the tarmac hard as they went over .
Ms Polhill 's petition , about issues a short distance away , is likely to be presented at the next full council meeting .
All requests for traffic regulation orders ( TROs ) are ranked using a points-based system , with those scoring most highly standing the best chance of a scheme being approved .
Although limited budgets mean only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen in a typical year - are likely to be allocated money to make the plans a reality .

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A Solihull street once claimed to be home to one of Britain's most dangerous speed bumps has found itself at the centre of another road safety row.
Residents are worried the area around one of the humps on Hurdis Road, Shirley, was becoming a risk because of how many cars were parking at the spot.
More than 500 people have voiced concerns about someone being hurt at the site, at the entrance to Shirley Park, and backed the calls for a crossing.
Helen Polhill, who started the online petition, described the volume of vehicles as "an accident waiting to happen".
"It is a busy thoroughfare for members of the public crossing to get to and from the park, but it is becoming increasingly dangerous to do so due to the large number of parked cars at this spot," she said.
"The cars are regularly parking on the speed bump, either side of the speed bump, on the pavement directly outside the park entrance.
"It makes it incredibly difficult when cars are parked like this to see cars coming or for them to see you."
As well as the risk to young families visiting the park, and other pedestrians, the issue is said to be frustrating residents trying to get off their drive.
(Image: Google Street View)
Louise Hunt is among those to sign Ms Polhill's petition. She said: "I’ve seen some scary near misses and want kids to be safe."
Another supporter, Simon Atkins, said action was "long overdue".
"Parking down that road is a nightmare, and I'm surprised no-one has been hurt or worse."
Cllr Tim Hodgson said he fully supported Ms Polhill's campaign.
"During lockdown in particular, and prior to that, we have seen cars parking inconsiderately across the speed hump and across the pavement which is very dangerous for pedestrians trying to cross the road.
"The council needs to install a formal crossing and apply double yellow lines either side of it to stop this dangerous parking and make it safer for everyone."
In 2007, another of Hurdis Road's sleeping policemen had hit the headlines after a survey suggested it was among the worst in Britain.
Motorists had claimed the first hump in the row was higher on one side, causing vehicles to hit the tarmac hard as they went over.
Ms Polhill's petition, about issues a short distance away, is likely to be presented at the next full council meeting.
All requests for traffic regulation orders (TROs) are ranked using a points-based system, with those scoring most highly standing the best chance of a scheme being approved.
Although limited budgets mean only a handful of Solihull sites - around a dozen in a typical year - are likely to be allocated money to make the plans a reality.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2020 - Travel, Tourism and Hospitality

The Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2020 will celebrate achievement among individuals , their employers and education and training providers .
Our event this year is run in partnership with Ladder for Greater Birmingham , a campaign which is working to create hundreds of new apprenticeships across the region .
The awards will be held online In November as a result of the coronavirus crisis but will still be a stellar celebration of the apprenticeship movement in Greater Birmingham .
There will be 12 separate categories including crowning our overall Apprentice of the Year and here we focus on one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night .
Scroll down for more details about the event or click through here to go straight to the nomination form Outstanding Apprentice of the Year ( Travel , Tourism and Hospitality ) The travel , tourism and hospitality industries are thriving in the region , with major attractions and destinations drawing in visitors from across the UK and around the world .
This category is for those apprenticeships working at the forefront of making these industries tick , such as helping to create the best family days out , host great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or showcase the region 's great history and heritage .
The award also welcomes nominations from those helping to bring in big commerce and conferences to boost the business tourism economy .
This is a new category for our 2020 awards .
The Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards are back for a second year , in partnership with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham .
The event will be held online only on Friday November 27 , 2020 and will celebrate apprentices , employers and training and education providers .
The awards are free and easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be found here along with those all-important T & Cs .
The deadline for entries is Friday September 18 .
If you have any questions about entering or the awards in general , please email tamlyn.jones @ reachplc.com and contact andrew.robinson01 @ reachplc.com or nikki.kandola @ reachplc.com if you would like to learn more about becoming a commercial partner of the awards .
For more information visit our events website here and please follow the hashtag # BAA20 for updates on social media .
The full list of categories and sponsors is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Construction and Property ) - Outstanding Apprentice of the Year ( Engineering and Manufacturing ) , sponsored by Birmingham Metropolitan College - Outstanding Apprentice of the Year ( Health , Education and Care ) - Outstanding Apprentice of the Year ( Professional Services ) , sponsored by Performance Through People - Outstanding Apprentice of the Year ( Tech , Digital and Creative Industries ) - Outstanding Apprentice of the Year ( Travel , Tourism and Hospitality ) - Apprentice of the Year ( chosen from the six category winners above ) - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff ) , sponsored by BCTG - Large Employer of the Year ( 250+ staff ) , sponsored by The Development Manager - Training Provider of the Year , sponsored by The Ladder Foundation Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership is also an event supporter .
The awards are run in conjunction with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign , an initiative launched in 2018 aimed at creating 1,000 new apprenticeships in Birmingham and Solihull .
To find out more about the Ladder campaign and how employing apprentices can benefit your business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 699

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The Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2020 will celebrate achievement among individuals, their employers and education and training providers.
Our event this year is run in partnership with Ladder for Greater Birmingham, a campaign which is working to create hundreds of new apprenticeships across the region.
The awards will be held online In November as a result of the coronavirus crisis but will still be a stellar celebration of the apprenticeship movement in Greater Birmingham.
There will be 12 separate categories including crowning our overall Apprentice of the Year and here we focus on one of the six individual awards to be presented on the night.
Scroll down for more details about the event or click through here to go straight to the nomination form
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality)
The travel, tourism and hospitality industries are thriving in the region, with major attractions and destinations drawing in visitors from across the UK and around the world. This category is for those apprenticeships working at the forefront of making these industries tick, such as helping to create the best family days out, host great events and excursions, run fantastic hotels or showcase the region's great history and heritage.
The award also welcomes nominations from those helping to bring in big commerce and conferences to boost the business tourism economy. This is a new category for our 2020 awards.
Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2020 The Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards are back for a second year, in partnership with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham. The event will be held online only on Friday November 27, 2020 and will celebrate apprentices, employers and training and education providers. The deadline to enter has now passed - read the 2020 shortlist here - but sponsorship opportunities are still available. If you have any questions about the awards in general, please email paige.jackson@reachplc.com and contact nikki.kandola@reachplc.com if you would like to learn more about becoming a commercial partner of the awards. For more information visit our events website here and please follow the hashtag #BAA20 for updates on social media.
The full list of categories and sponsors is:
- Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Construction and Property)
- Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Engineering and Manufacturing), sponsored by Birmingham Metropolitan College
- Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Health, Education and Care)
- Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Professional Services), sponsored by Performance Through People
- Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Tech, Digital and Creative Industries)
- Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality)
- Apprentice of the Year (chosen from the six category winners above)
- Small Employer of the Year (1-50 staff)
- Medium Employer of the Year (51-249 staff), sponsored by BCTG
- Large Employer of the Year (250+ staff), sponsored by The Development Manager
- Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by The Ladder Foundation
- Education Engagement Award
Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership is also an event supporter.
The awards are run in conjunction with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign, an initiative launched in 2018 aimed at creating 1,000 new apprenticeships in Birmingham and Solihull. To find out more about the Ladder campaign and how employing apprentices can benefit your business, visit ladderforbirmingham.co.uk or call 03332 409 699


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Watch: Man flees indoors as lightning strike 'explodes' nearby

This is the moment a Walsall man had a 'close call ' as he filmed a 'lightning strike ' in his garden .
The Black Country was battered by another electrical storm overnight with torrential rain following an intense heatwave .
And while many people opted to admire the dramatic skies from the comfort of their homes , Lee Taylor , from Bloxwich , decided to venture outside .
But he got more than he bargained for when a huge crack of lightning struck nearby on Wednesday night ( August 12 ) .
Startled , Lee quickly legged it back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely back inside , he admitted the huge explosion-like bang had `` scared '' him , shouting : `` That hit something . ''
As the storm took hold on Wednesday night ( August 12 ) , streets were flooded by torrential downpours , golf ball-sized hailstones rained down across the region .
Thunderstorm warnings continue across much of the UK until Monday , August 17 - although it will be slightly cooler .
The Met Office predicts highs of 26°C across the Midlands today ( Thursday , August 13 ) , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the afternoon .

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This is the moment a Walsall man had a 'close call' as he filmed a 'lightning strike' in his garden.
The Black Country was battered by another electrical storm overnight with torrential rain following an intense heatwave.
And while many people opted to admire the dramatic skies from the comfort of their homes, Lee Taylor, from Bloxwich, decided to venture outside.
But he got more than he bargained for when a huge crack of lightning struck nearby on Wednesday night (August 12).
Startled, Lee quickly legged it back into the house.
Once he was safely back inside, he admitted the huge explosion-like bang had "scared" him, shouting: "That hit something."
As the storm took hold on Wednesday night (August 12), streets were flooded by torrential downpours, golf ball-sized hailstones rained down across the region.
(Image: Melvin Cooper)
Thunderstorm warnings continue across much of the UK until Monday, August 17 - although it will be slightly cooler.
The Met Office predicts highs of 26°C across the Midlands today (Thursday, August 13), with a chance of heavy thunderstorms developing during the afternoon.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--John Cordoba breaks silence on future amid Wolves transfer links

Reported Wolverhampton Wanderers target John Cordoba is yet to agree a contract extension with Cologne amid speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League .
The striker is being touted for a switch to England this summer having enjoyed the best season of his career so far .
Cordoba scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for Cologne , who finished 14th in the Bundesliga .
Reports from German outlet Express have credited Wolves with an interest in the Colombian forward , 27 .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news , views , gossip and opinion .
All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - it looks just like this ... And what 's more , it 's absolutely free !
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and App Store They reported earlier this month that a fee of 20m euros ( £18m ) would be enough to secure Cordoba , who joined Cologne from Mainz three years ago .
The club 's general manager Horst Heldt said earlier this month that Cordoba had rejected the offer of a new contract at the RheinEnergieStadion .
`` We made an offer to Jhon , '' said Heldt .
`` That has been checked and his advisor Christian Wein has informed us that it is unsatisfactory and will therefore not be accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 12 months left to run on his current deal , has now spoken out about his future .
`` I have one more year of contract , I am still here and I am calm , '' he told Antena2 .
`` We will see what happens .
`` They have treated me very well , I am very grateful and everyone has done their part .
I leave everything external to my representative and the sporting director here , they are the ones who have to agree ( on an extension @ @ @

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Reported Wolverhampton Wanderers target John Cordoba is yet to agree a contract extension with Cologne amid speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.
The striker is being touted for a switch to England this summer having enjoyed the best season of his career so far.
Cordoba scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for Cologne, who finished 14th in the Bundesliga.
Reports from German outlet Express have credited Wolves with an interest in the Colombian forward, 27.
Wolves daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox There's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton Wanderers news with our daily newsletter. Delivered straight into your email inbox each day, the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news, views, gossip and opinion. All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - or sign up here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
They reported earlier this month that a fee of 20m euros (£18m) would be enough to secure Cordoba, who joined Cologne from Mainz three years ago.
The club's general manager Horst Heldt said earlier this month that Cordoba had rejected the offer of a new contract at the RheinEnergieStadion.
"We made an offer to Jhon," said Heldt. "That has been checked and his advisor Christian Wein has informed us that it is unsatisfactory and will therefore not be accepted."
The player, who has just 12 months left to run on his current deal, has now spoken out about his future.
"I have one more year of contract, I am still here and I am calm," he told Antena2. "We will see what happens.
"They have treated me very well, I am very grateful and everyone has done their part. I leave everything external to my representative and the sporting director here, they are the ones who have to agree (on an extension)."


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Naked attraction! Jogger wearing just bumbag seen at beauty spot

A naked jogger has been photographed at a Midlands beauty spot - wearing just a bumbag and trainers .
A stunned wildlife photographer spotted the naked man as he snapped pictures of the sunset in the Roaches near Leek , Staffordshire .
The 46-year-old quickly turned his lens on the man to prove to himself he was n't 'seeing things ' having just woken from a nap , StokeonTrentLive reports .
One picture shows him retreating down a path with his bare bottom on full show as two sheep nonchalantly eat grass .
The photographer , from Leek , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there a few times a week .
I was sat taking a photo of the sunset minding my own business .
I then nodded off but then could hear someone coming .
`` I looked around and couldn ’ t believe it .
I thought I was dreaming .
I nearly slapped myself to wake up .
`` He was wearing a bum bag but nothing else .
`` He ran past two men .
He then hid behind a wall when he saw a Asda delivery van come down a farm drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Roach End on the far side of the craggy rocks when he got an eyeful .
He added : `` I ’ m told he ’ s been seen in other areas .
He 's been seen at the Manifold and a friend of mine saw a naked man bathing at Three Shires .
`` It ’ s wrong because a child might see him .
He seemed to be pretty proud of it .
He was flopping about all over the place .
`` It ’ s got so busy since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so anybody could see him . ''
The Roaches - managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust - is famed for once being home to wallabies after five of them were released into the wild in the late 1930s .
Many of the marsupials died during a particularly harsh winter in 1963 - with the last verified sighting of one of the creatures being in 2009 and they now believed to be extinct in the area .

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A naked jogger has been photographed at a Midlands beauty spot - wearing just a bumbag and trainers.
A stunned wildlife photographer spotted the naked man as he snapped pictures of the sunset in the Roaches near Leek, Staffordshire.
The 46-year-old quickly turned his lens on the man to prove to himself he wasn't 'seeing things' having just woken from a nap, StokeonTrentLive reports.
One picture shows him retreating down a path with his bare bottom on full show as two sheep nonchalantly eat grass.
The photographer, from Leek, said: "I’m usually up there a few times a week. I was sat taking a photo of the sunset minding my own business. I then nodded off but then could hear someone coming.
"I looked around and couldn’t believe it. I thought I was dreaming. I nearly slapped myself to wake up.
"He was wearing a bum bag but nothing else.
"He ran past two men. He then hid behind a wall when he saw a Asda delivery van come down a farm drive."
The photographer was sat close to Roach End on the far side of the craggy rocks when he got an eyeful.
He added: "I’m told he’s been seen in other areas. He's been seen at the Manifold and a friend of mine saw a naked man bathing at Three Shires.
"It’s wrong because a child might see him. He seemed to be pretty proud of it. He was flopping about all over the place.
"It’s got so busy since lockdown with more people getting out walking so anybody could see him."
The Roaches - managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust - is famed for once being home to wallabies after five of them were released into the wild in the late 1930s.
Many of the marsupials died during a particularly harsh winter in 1963 - with the last verified sighting of one of the creatures being in 2009 and they now believed to be extinct in the area.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Aston Villa transfer news live - Mourinho told to make Grealish move

Hello and welcome to Thursday 's LIVE Aston Villa coverage from BirminghamLive .
We will be keeping you informed on all the key developments across today as Villa 's transfer window gathers pace and the new season draws closer .
We will be adding all the latest Villa news , views and rumours to our live blog throughout the day , with new signings and transfers continually linked to the club .
Brentford duo Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma remain top targets for Villa following the Bees ' play-off final defeat to Fulham - so we will be keeping a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two .
There will be plenty on the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Callum Wilson too , while , today , one-time target Daniel Sturridge has issued a come-and-get-me plea to clubs in the Premier League .
There 's also some fallout from the Copenhagen fixture in the Europa League earlier this week given Johan Lange 's connections while we 've taken a look at why Villa will be forever grateful to James Chester following his free transfer to Stoke City which was confirmed on Monday .
So stay with us for today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure to check back for all the latest Villa transfer news and opinion .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Richard Cusack, James Rushton)

Hello and welcome to Thursday'sAston Villa coverage from BirminghamLive.
We will be keeping you informed on all the key developments across today as Villa's transfer window gathers pace and the new season draws closer.
We will be adding all the latest Villa news, views and rumours to our live blog throughout the day, with new signings and transfers continually linked to the club.
Brentford duo Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma remain top targets for Villa following the Bees' play-off final defeat to Fulham - so we will be keeping a close eye on the situation concerning those two.
There will be plenty on the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Callum Wilson too, while, today, one-time target Daniel Sturridge has issued a come-and-get-me plea to clubs in the Premier League.
There's also some fallout from the Copenhagen fixture in the Europa League earlier this week given Johan Lange's connections while we've taken a look at why Villa will be forever grateful to James Chester following his free transfer to Stoke City which was confirmed on Monday.
So stay with us for today's blog, below , and be sure to check back for all the latest Villa transfer news and opinion.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--'Brilliant for Spurs' - Jose Mourinho told to make move for Jack Grealish

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jamie O'Hara thinks Jack Grealish should move to Tottenham Hotspur .
O'Hara , who used to play for Spurs , reckons a move to North London would also greatly increase Grealish 's chances of becoming a regular in the England setup .
Grealish has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa with Manchester United and Man City reportedly interested .
Villa strengthened their chances of keeping Grealish when they secured their Premier League status for another season last month .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The captain scored in a final-day 1-1 draw with West Ham United and reports emerged soon after that if Grealish were to leave Villa Park then the club would command £80 million for him .
O'Hara has backed a Spurs move for Grealish and has outlined his reasons why .
`` I really like him , he 's had a great season , '' he told talkSPORT .
`` I think it would be brilliant for Spurs if I 'm honest .
`` I think we should have got him a season ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I do n't know if Spurs have got the money , maybe if they 're offloading a couple .
`` He would be great - does he stay at Villa ?
I think now it 's time for him to step up .
`` If he wants to be that England player and be in that squad in a weekly basis - I think he needs to move to a team that is going to be up near the top six .
`` He 's not worth £80 million , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great footballer .
`` But £80m in the current market ?
No chance . ''
Grealish scored eight goals and created six for his team-mates in 2019-20 .

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Former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jamie O'Hara thinks Jack Grealish should move to Tottenham Hotspur.
O'Hara, who used to play for Spurs, reckons a move to North London would also greatly increase Grealish 's chances of becoming a regular in the England setup.
Grealish has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa with Manchester United and Man City reportedly interested.
Villa strengthened their chances of keeping Grealish when they secured their Premier League status for another season last month.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
The captain scored in a final-day 1-1 draw with West Ham United and reports emerged soon after that if Grealish were to leave Villa Park then the club would command £80 million for him.
O'Hara has backed a Spurs move for Grealish and has outlined his reasons why.
"I really like him, he's had a great season," he told talkSPORT.
"I think it would be brilliant for Spurs if I'm honest.
"I think we should have got him a season ago when he was probably a lot cheaper.
"I don't know if Spurs have got the money, maybe if they're offloading a couple.
"He would be great - does he stay at Villa? I think now it's time for him to step up.
"If he wants to be that England player and be in that squad in a weekly basis - I think he needs to move to a team that is going to be up near the top six.
"He's not worth £80 million, I love him and think he's a great footballer.
"But £80m in the current market? No chance."
Grealish scored eight goals and created six for his team-mates in 2019-20.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Shutdown warning issued to pubs and restaurants if they flout Covid-19 rules

Pubs , bars and restaurants across Sandwell have been warned that they could be closed down if they ca n't help limit the spread of Covid-19 .
Businesses have been reminded that indoor performances , such as live music or comedy , are not currently permitted and that karaoke , loud recorded music and DJs should be avoided .
Anyone found to be operating dangerously could be closed down under powers given to the council under the Coronavirus Act 2020 .
Sandwell Council has also urged businesses to keep customers safe .
The council has yet to use powers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hoped business will continue to follow Government guidance on keeping customers and staff safe .
Sandwell Council ’ s cabinet member for safer communities Councillor Jo Hadley said : `` All Sandwell businesses need to act responsibly to limit the spread of Covid-19 and make sure their customers are safe .
`` For licensed premises , there are still restrictions in place in respect to overcrowding and indoor entertainment .
`` Pubs , bars and restaurant must make sure they are complying with their licensing conditions as well as the new guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen safely .
`` We want Sandwell businesses to ensure they are aware of the rules and to stick to them .
If we find premises that aren ’ t operating safely , we do have powers available to close them down in conjunction with the police . ''
Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor , Maria Crompton , said : `` We operate joined up working across licensing , environmental health , trading standards , police and public health , aiming for an approach that starts with education and encouragement to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` However , if premises do not comply we will consider formal action .
`` It is the responsibility of a business or an employer to ensure all reasonable measures are taken to limit the risk of transmission of Covid-19 .
Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms can now get a test .
If it 's positive you 'll be contacted by text , email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website .
There you will be asked for personal information including : • Name , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you live with • Names and contact details of people you have been in close contact with in the 48 hours before your symptoms started • people you spend 15 minutes or more with at a distance of less than 2m • people you have direct contact with - such as sexual partners , household members or people with whom you have had face-to-face conversations at a distance of less than 1m The contact must have taken place between two days before and up to seven days after symptoms appeared .
No-one contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus will be told your identity .
A parent or guardian will need to give permission for a call with under-18s to continue .
The aim is for the scheme to eventually feature phonelines manned by contact tracers , a website , a smartphone app and a local response team on standby .
The contact tracing service and website were launched in England on 28 May .
The app is still being trialled on the Isle of Wight and has n't been released more widely , although business minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of June .
`` To ascertain whether all reasonable measures have been taken , any guidance issued by the government will be considered in determining compliance with Health & Safety legislation.
” Police also issued a 48-hour closure notice on the Holly Bush pub in Cradley Heath over the weekend following complaints of loud music .
All Sandwell pubs and restaurants are being urged to : • Record all customers ’ details – so they can be contacted in case of an outbreak • Ensure customers only socialise in groups of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) indoors and outdoors , or up to six people from different households when outdoors • Notify the council ’ s public health team if two or more staff test positive for Covid-19 .

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Pubs, bars and restaurants across Sandwell have been warned that they could be closed down if they can't help limit the spread of Covid-19.
Businesses have been reminded that indoor performances, such as live music or comedy, are not currently permitted and that karaoke, loud recorded music and DJs should be avoided.
Anyone found to be operating dangerously could be closed down under powers given to the council under the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Sandwell Council has also urged businesses to keep customers safe.
The council has yet to use powers to close premises operating dangerously – and it's hoped business will continue to follow Government guidance on keeping customers and staff safe.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for safer communities Councillor Jo Hadley said: "All Sandwell businesses need to act responsibly to limit the spread of Covid-19 and make sure their customers are safe.
"For licensed premises, there are still restrictions in place in respect to overcrowding and indoor entertainment.
"Pubs, bars and restaurant must make sure they are complying with their licensing conditions as well as the new guidance brought in to allow licensed premises to reopen safely.
"We want Sandwell businesses to ensure they are aware of the rules and to stick to them. If we find premises that aren’t operating safely, we do have powers available to close them down in conjunction with the police."
Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor, Maria Crompton, said: "We operate joined up working across licensing, environmental health, trading standards, police and public health, aiming for an approach that starts with education and encouragement to secure good infection control measures and compliance.
"However, if premises do not comply we will consider formal action.
"It is the responsibility of a business or an employer to ensure all reasonable measures are taken to limit the risk of transmission of Covid-19.
What is contact tracing? Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms can now get a test. If it's positive you'll be contacted by text, email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website. There you will be asked for personal information including: Name, date of birth and postcode
Who you live with
Places you visited recently
Names and contact details of people you have been in close contact with in the 48 hours before your symptoms started Close contacts are: people you spend 15 minutes or more with at a distance of less than 2m
people you have direct contact with - such as sexual partners, household members or people with whom you have had face-to-face conversations at a distance of less than 1m The contact must have taken place between two days before and up to seven days after symptoms appeared. No-one contacted as a result of you testing positive for coronavirus will be told your identity. A parent or guardian will need to give permission for a call with under-18s to continue. The aim is for the scheme to eventually feature phonelines manned by contact tracers, a website, a smartphone app and a local response team on standby. The contact tracing service and website were launched in England on 28 May. The app is still being trialled on the Isle of Wight and hasn't been released more widely, although business minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested it would be in place by the end of June.
"To ascertain whether all reasonable measures have been taken, any guidance issued by the government will be considered in determining compliance with Health & Safety legislation.”
Police also issued a 48-hour closure notice on the Holly Bush pub in Cradley Heath over the weekend following complaints of loud music.
All Sandwell pubs and restaurants are being urged to:
• Record all customers’ details – so they can be contacted in case of an outbreak
• Ensure customers only socialise in groups of up to two households (including support bubbles) indoors and outdoors, or up to six people from different households when outdoors
• Encourage regular handwashing and good hygiene
• Notify the council’s public health team if two or more staff test positive for Covid-19.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Katie Price’s doctors 'ban her from getting out of bed' before foot surgery

Katie Price has been ordered by doctors to not get out of bed before undergoing major foot surgery .
She broke her feet and ankles while on holiday in Turkey with boyfriend Carl Woods and her children Junior and Princess - both from her marriage to Peter Andre .
Katie is expected to undergo an operation later this week , reports The Mirror .
Earlier this week we reported how Katie has been using a mobility scooter to get around .
But now thats reportedly off limits as she 's been ordered to stay in bed before the op .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate youngest son Jett 's seventh birthday this weekend .
A source told The Sun : `` Katie 's doctors told her she had to stay lying down on her back to stop her feet swelling up in the heat .
`` No shopping trips , no parties , nothing .
She 's devastated because it was Jett 's birthday and she wanted to celebrate properly - but she 's promised him another party after she 's had the operation .
`` She 's terrified about the surgery tomorrow - but she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice . ''
A source told the site : `` She 'll have to be so , so careful - she 'll have medical professionals on call 24/7 - and change the dressings regularly .
Last week Katie 's daughter Princess revealed her mum may not walk for up to a year after the accident which happened at a Turkish theme park .
Speaking out on Instagram Live Princess said : `` She 'll be in a wheelchair for three to six months - but she wo n't walk for a year .
@

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Sara Aisha Kent, Sanjeeta Bains)

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Katie Price has been ordered by doctors to not get out of bed before undergoing major foot surgery.
She broke her feet and ankles while on holiday in Turkey with boyfriend Carl Woods and her children Junior and Princess - both from her marriage to Peter Andre.
Katie is expected to undergo an operation later this week, reports The Mirror.
Earlier this week we reported how Katie has been using a mobility scooter to get around.
But now thats reportedly off limits as she's been ordered to stay in bed before the op.
The mum of five was all set to celebrate youngest son Jett's seventh birthday this weekend.
A source told The Sun: "Katie's doctors told her she had to stay lying down on her back to stop her feet swelling up in the heat.
"No shopping trips, no parties, nothing. She's devastated because it was Jett's birthday and she wanted to celebrate properly - but she's promised him another party after she's had the operation.
"She's terrified about the surgery tomorrow - but she's listening to all the doctor's advice."
A source told the site: "She'll have to be so, so careful - she'll have medical professionals on call 24/7 - and change the dressings regularly.
"She's got a long road ahead of her.”
Last week Katie's daughter Princess revealed her mum may not walk for up to a year after the accident which happened at a Turkish theme park.
Speaking out on Instagram Live Princess said: "She'll be in a wheelchair for three to six months - but she won't walk for a year."


birminghammail--2020-08-13--'Hand yourself in' - heartbroken family's desperate plea after city hotel murder

The grieving family of a man stabbed to death inside a city centre hotel have urged the teenager who is wanted over the murder to hand himself in .
Panashe Bako , aged 20 , was knifed in Birmingham 's Crowne Plaza hotel on July 21 .
Detectives are urgently hunting Ceasar Bello - also known as 'Peace ' - who they believe may have fled to London .
West Midlands Police officers have been working closely with the Met Police to find the 18-year-old suspect , but despite extensive enquiries , several appeals and an active £5,000 Crimestoppers reward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today ( August 13 ) , Panashe 's devastated family issued an emotional plea for information and urged Bello 'hand yourself in now ' .
Watch the video above .
The grief-stricken family described Panashe as a 'lovely boy who always went the extra mile to help people ' and they told of their shock after his tragic death .
In a video released by WMP , his family said : `` He was a lovely boy , he was young and had a lot of opportunities for him to develop into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was very loving .
Even on my mum 's birthday or my birthday he would spend all the money he had just to buy us birthday gifts .
`` It 's been very hard but we 've got lots of support .
We have a really big family and we 've had people around us but no one can fill that gap .
And it 's obvious that he 's not there .
You think you 're just in a dream and probably you will wake up in the morning and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pieces .
We never thought that Panashe would die at such a young age .
We all had expectations for him .
To have a wife , a child , a house , To have that taken away from us has been hard .
`` I 'm still in shock and there 's some denial that you think it could be wrong and could he be alive somewhere ?
`` It 's the right time for him ( Bello ) to hand himself over . ''
His visibly upset mum , Farai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to have answers as to why ?
Panashe was not an animal , he was a human being .
Ever so loved .
He died without anyone he loved beside him . ''
Police said anyone found assisting Bello - possibly out of misguided loyalty - is committing a criminal offence and 'will be dealt with ' .
Detective Inspector Jim Colclough , from West Midlands Police 's homicide team , said : `` I understand that you may be scared to come forward and provide this information but it can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d prefer .
They are offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information they exclusively receive that leads to the arrest of Bello .
`` The Bako family have been extremely courageous today , I thank them for this and reiterate their plea for anyone with information to get in touch . ''
Crimestoppers can be contacted either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555 111 .
* One other man has been charged with Panashe ’ s murder and has been remanded in custody .

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The grieving family of a man stabbed to death inside a city centre hotel have urged the teenager who is wanted over the murder to hand himself in.
Panashe Bako, aged 20, was knifed in Birmingham's Crowne Plaza hotel on July 21.
Detectives are urgently hunting Ceasar Bello - also known as 'Peace' - who they believe may have fled to London.
West Midlands Police officers have been working closely with the Met Police to find the 18-year-old suspect, but despite extensive enquiries, several appeals and an active £5,000 Crimestoppers reward, Bello has not yet been traced.
Today (August 13), Panashe's devastated family issued an emotional plea for information and urged Bello 'hand yourself in now'. Watch the video above.
The grief-stricken family described Panashe as a 'lovely boy who always went the extra mile to help people' and they told of their shock after his tragic death.
(Image: WMP)
In a video released by WMP, his family said: "He was a lovely boy, he was young and had a lot of opportunities for him to develop into the person he wanted to be. He was very loving. Even on my mum's birthday or my birthday he would spend all the money he had just to buy us birthday gifts.
"It's been very hard but we've got lots of support. We have a really big family and we've had people around us but no one can fill that gap. And it's obvious that he's not there. You think you're just in a dream and probably you will wake up in the morning and it's not real.
"We are in pieces. We never thought that Panashe would die at such a young age. We all had expectations for him. To have a wife, a child, a house, To have that taken away from us has been hard.
"I'm still in shock and there's some denial that you think it could be wrong and could he be alive somewhere?
"It's the right time for him (Bello) to hand himself over."
His visibly upset mum, Farai Bako, said: "I just want to have answers as to why? Panashe was not an animal, he was a human being. Ever so loved. He died without anyone he loved beside him."
Police said anyone found assisting Bello - possibly out of misguided loyalty - is committing a criminal offence and 'will be dealt with'.
Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, from West Midlands Police's homicide team, said: "I understand that you may be scared to come forward and provide this information but it can be done anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers if you’d prefer. They are offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information they exclusively receive that leads to the arrest of Bello.
"The Bako family have been extremely courageous today, I thank them for this and reiterate their plea for anyone with information to get in touch."
Crimestoppers can be contacted either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555 111.
* One other man has been charged with Panashe’s murder and has been remanded in custody.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--What Milot Rashica is thinking as Aston Villa transfer rumours intensify

Speculation has intensified over Aston Villa 's interest in Werder Bremen forward Milot Rashica .
Interestingly , Bremen supporters believe a deal to Villa is very close - following a report by Supersport Kosovo reporter Arlind Sadiku that broke last night of Villa landing an acceptable offer for the Kosovan forward .
Sadiku issued the following update on the potential transfer .
He said : `` Milot Rashica will leave Werder Bremen , further away by the end of next week .
`` A few weeks ago he had reached a personal agreement with Leipzig but Werder Bremen is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for his services have been made by Monaco , Aston Villa and Wolves .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here '' According to my sources , Aston Villa 's offer is the most important for Werder and it is likely that Rashica will be transferred to the Premier League next week . ''
Now , according to reports in Bild.de , Rashica 's situation is a waiting game - with RB Leipzig reportedly reluctant to meet Bremen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the club for a fee that lands under his release clause , with Leipzig balking at the rumoured £22 million to £25 million demands , which is still below Rashica 's €38 million ( £34.3 million ) release fee .
The same report has revealed what 's on Rashica 's mind - via his manager .
`` Milot is very relaxed about the situation .
He does what he has to do .
Milot is very relaxed and happy to be in the group , '' said Bremen boss Florian Kohfeldt , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not at all worried about the ongoing speculation .
Rashica is training with Bremen ahead of the new Bundesliga season , but was not involved in the side 's friendly against Braunschweig ahead of a long-rumoured move away from the German side .
Leipzig 's own interest may have been beaten by the fee - which might conflict with their transfer model .

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Speculation has intensified over Aston Villa's interest in Werder Bremen forward Milot Rashica.
Interestingly, Bremen supporters believe a deal to Villa is very close - following a report by Supersport Kosovo reporter Arlind Sadiku that broke last night of Villa landing an acceptable offer for the Kosovan forward.
Sadiku issued the following update on the potential transfer. He said: "Milot Rashica will leave Werder Bremen, further away by the end of next week.
"A few weeks ago he had reached a personal agreement with Leipzig but Werder Bremen is not satisfied with the offer. An official request for his services have been made by Monaco, Aston Villa and Wolves.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
"According to my sources, Aston Villa's offer is the most important for Werder and it is likely that Rashica will be transferred to the Premier League next week."
Now, according to reports in Bild.de, Rashica's situation is a waiting game - with RB Leipzig reportedly reluctant to meet Bremen's demands.
Rashica will likely leave the club for a fee that lands under his release clause, with Leipzig balking at the rumoured £22 million to £25 million demands, which is still below Rashica's €38 million (£34.3 million) release fee.
The same report has revealed what's on Rashica's mind - via his manager.
"Milot is very relaxed about the situation. He does what he has to do. Milot is very relaxed and happy to be in the group," said Bremen boss Florian Kohfeldt, who is convinced that his main man is not at all worried about the ongoing speculation.
Rashica is training with Bremen ahead of the new Bundesliga season, but was not involved in the side's friendly against Braunschweig ahead of a long-rumoured move away from the German side. Leipzig's own interest may have been beaten by the fee - which might conflict with their transfer model.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Tributes to Haider Ali after body found in search for missing teen in quarry

Tributes have been paid to a teenager who went missing in a Stourport Quarry after police confirmed they have found a body .
The 17-year-old from Bordesley Green went missing after he went swimming in the Shavers End Quarry - known as Blue Lagoon , near Stourport-on-Severn , Worcestershire , on Wednesday ( August 12 ) .
West Mercia Police confirmed on Thursday night they had found a body in their search for the teenager who has been described as 'always smiling and happy to help ' .
It is believed Haider was with friends who together with a passer-by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into difficulty but tragically to no avail .
Speaking on behalf of Haider ’ s devastated family , Naveed Sadiq said : “ He was a very pleasant and nice young man .
“ He was always smiling and happy to help .
“ He would say hello to people - his death is a major loss to his family and the community .
“ Around 4.30pm yesterday , his father got the news that something had happened and later on they went to the quarry.
” Mr Sadiq said the rescue team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for further specialist assistance .
“ At 1pm they came and around two hours later they discovered Haider , ” he added .
Detective Inspector Justin Taylor from West Mercia Police said : “ It ’ s with a heavy heart that we can confirm that a body has been found in our searches at the quarry .
“ Whilst formal identification has not yet taken place we have updated the family and the coroner has been informed.
” Divers with specialist equipment had been seen carrying out a search for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambulances , two paramedic officers , the Trust ’ s Hazardous Area Response Team , the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended the scene , together with fire and police crews .
On Thursday , the West Mercia Search and Rescue Team joined the search .

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Tributes have been paid to a teenager who went missing in a Stourport Quarry after police confirmed they have found a body.
The 17-year-old from Bordesley Green went missing after he went swimming in the Shavers End Quarry - known as Blue Lagoon, near Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, on Wednesday (August 12).
West Mercia Police confirmed on Thursday night they had found a body in their search for the teenager who has been described as 'always smiling and happy to help'.
It is believed Haider was with friends who together with a passer-by tried to help him after he got into difficulty but tragically to no avail.
Speaking on behalf of Haider’s devastated family, Naveed Sadiq said: “He was a very pleasant and nice young man.
“He was always smiling and happy to help.
“He would say hello to people - his death is a major loss to his family and the community.
“His family are distraught.
“Around 4.30pm yesterday, his father got the news that something had happened and later on they went to the quarry.”
Mr Sadiq said the rescue team had gone out but they had to wait for further specialist assistance.
“At 1pm they came and around two hours later they discovered Haider,” he added.
Detective Inspector Justin Taylor from West Mercia Police said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we can confirm that a body has been found in our searches at the quarry.
“Whilst formal identification has not yet taken place we have updated the family and the coroner has been informed.”
Divers with specialist equipment had been seen carrying out a search for the teenager.
On Wednesday, evening two ambulances, two paramedic officers,the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended the scene, together with fire and police crews.
On Thursday, the West Mercia Search and Rescue Team joined the search.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Live - M6 closed as police and medics deal with incident

Traffic police were forced to halt traffic on a stretch of busy motorway after a person was spotted on the @ @ @ @ @ .
Motorists travelling on the M6 between J10 ( Walsall ) and J11 ( Cannock @ @ @ @ @ Midlands Police for nearly and hour shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday , August 13 .
@ @ @ @ @ were urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes .
Emergency services - including @ @ @ @ @ spotted at the scene .
A spokesman for Inrix , a travel monitoring company , @ @ @ @ @ both directions closed , queueing traffic due to police incident from J10 A454 Wolverhampton Road @ @ @ @ @ said : `` We were alerted to a person on the wrong side of the @ @ @ @ @ evening .
Thankfully , they have now safely returned to the right side and are @ @ @ @ @ a live blog updates will follow as we learn more .

Traffic police were forced to halt traffic on a stretch of busy motorway after a person was spotted on the wrong side of a bridge.
Motorists travelling on the M6 between J10 (Walsall) and J11 (Cannock) were stopped by West Midlands Police for nearly and hour shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday, August 13.
Those travelling on the carriageway were urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes.
Emergency services - including police and medics - were spotted at the scene.
A spokesman for Inrix, a travel monitoring company, said: "M6 in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to police incident from J10 A454 Wolverhampton Road."
West Midlands Police said: "We were alerted to a person on the wrong side of the bridge just before 6.15pm this evening. Thankfully, they have now safely returned to the right side and are being safeguarded.
"All closures re-opened now."
This is a live blog updates will follow as we learn more.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--'Fits the bill' - Aston Villa told to complete Ollie Watkins transfer

Former Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips thinks his old side should prioritise a move for Ollie Watkins over Daniel Sturridge .
Villa head coach Dean Smith is looking to beef up his attack following the conclusion of the 2019-20 season .
The Lions retained their Premier League status despite having only Keinan Davis and Mbwana Samatta - who managed just one League goal between them - as the club 's only fit striking options by the end of the campaign .
Wesley Moraes - a £22 million record signing last summer - is on the road to recovery after suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Ollie Watkins has also been linked with Villa while playmaker Milot Rashica appears to be on his way to Villa Park as Villa look to beef up their squad .
Sturridge , who left Villa at 11 , declared he has unfinished business in the Premier League and he has been linked to Villa a couple of times since his release from Liverpool this summer .
Phillips , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make a move for Brentford 's Watkins who is reportedly valued at £25 million by his side .
“ Sturridge will not be on Villa 's list , ” Phillips told Football Insider .
“ I am sure a lot of clubs are considering an approach but he has not played football since March .
I doubt he has been training as well .
It will take him a while to get back up to speed .
`` If I am Villa I am looking elsewhere .
It is a position that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was Villa I would look to opt for Watkins .
He fits the bill . ''
Watkins , who is untested at Premier League level , bagged 25 goals for Brentford in 2019-20 .

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Former Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips thinks his old side should prioritise a move for Ollie Watkins over Daniel Sturridge.
Villa head coach Dean Smith is looking to beef up his attack following the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.
The Lions retained their Premier League status despite having only Keinan Davis and Mbwana Samatta - who managed just one League goal between them - as the club's only fit striking options by the end of the campaign.
Wesley Moraes - a £22 million record signing last summer - is on the road to recovery after suffering a serious knee injury on New Year's Day.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Ollie Watkins has also been linked with Villa while playmaker Milot Rashica appears to be on his way to Villa Park as Villa look to beef up their squad.
Sturridge, who left Villa at 11, declared he has unfinished business in the Premier League and he has been linked to Villa a couple of times since his release from Liverpool this summer.
Phillips, though, thinks Villa should steer well clear and make a move for Brentford's Watkins who is reportedly valued at £25 million by his side.
“Sturridge will not be on Villa's list,” Phillips told Football Insider.
“I am sure a lot of clubs are considering an approach but he has not played football since March. I doubt he has been training as well. It will take him a while to get back up to speed.
"If I am Villa I am looking elsewhere. It is a position that they need to strengthen in and if I was Villa I would look to opt for Watkins. He fits the bill."
Watkins, who is untested at Premier League level, bagged 25 goals for Brentford in 2019-20.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Blues fans pick Player of the Season - and it's not Bellingham

For a while , we at BirminghamLive have been asking fans to get in touch via our player of the season survey to pick the Birmingham City man who stood out for them in a tough 19/20 Championship campaign .
After Pep Clotet 's hiring as head coach , a path to a positive season seemed to be paved - however , Blues post-lockdown collapse saw them barely escape sinking into the relegation zone .
However , there was room for positivity .
Scott Hogan 's goal-glut following his signing , Jude Bellingham 's rise and a number of close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite it 's poor finish .
Sign up for our Blues newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here So , who have Blues fans picked as their player of the season ?
Well - it 's not Bellingham .
The Blues youngster - who recently completed a move to Borussia Dortmund came second - with just 16 percent of the vote .
It was n't Gary Gardner , Kristian Pedersen or Jack Clarke-Salter either who could n't break even ten percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Blues player of the season ?
With the lion 's share of the vote - 64 percent - you selected Lukas Jutkiewicz as the top performer of the campaign gone by .
The forward , who has been a St Andrew 's staple since 2016 , enjoyed his best goalscoring season in a blue shirt - adding one more goal from last season 's tally of 14 Championship strikes to finish with 15 league goals .
Blues will now look forward to a refreshed coaching setup under Aitor Karanka as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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For a while, we at BirminghamLive have been asking fans to get in touch via our player of the season survey to pick the Birmingham City man who stood out for them in a tough 19/20 Championship campaign.
After Pep Clotet's hiring as head coach, a path to a positive season seemed to be paved - however, Blues post-lockdown collapse saw them barely escape sinking into the relegation zone.
However, there was room for positivity. Scott Hogan's goal-glut following his signing, Jude Bellingham's rise and a number of close exciting games could be found in 19/20, despite it's poor finish.
Sign up for our Blues newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
So, who have Blues fans picked as their player of the season?
Well - it's not Bellingham.
The Blues youngster - who recently completed a move to Borussia Dortmund came second - with just 16 percent of the vote.
It wasn't Gary Gardner, Kristian Pedersen or Jack Clarke-Salter either who couldn't break even ten percent of the public vote.
The man you picked as the Blues player of the season?
With the lion's share of the vote - 64 percent - you selected Lukas Jutkiewicz as the top performer of the campaign gone by.
The forward, who has been a St Andrew's staple since 2016, enjoyed his best goalscoring season in a blue shirt - adding one more goal from last season's tally of 14 Championship strikes to finish with 15 league goals.
Blues will now look forward to a refreshed coaching setup under Aitor Karanka as they begin preperations for the 20/21 season.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Staff test positive for coronavirus at M&S sandwich factory

Almost 300 workers at a sandwich factory in Northampton have tested positive for Covid 19 .
Lucy Wightman , director of public health at Northamptonshire County Council said 79 Greencore workers tested positive through NHS tests while 213 positive results came back from the factory 's private testing , reports Chronicle Live .
A total of 292 out of 2,100 employees have tested positive for the virus .
They are now all self isolating .
Greencore said in a statement : `` As a result of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Northampton area , we took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the colleagues at our Northampton site .
`` We can confirm that a number of colleagues have tested positive for the virus and are now self-isolating . ''
It won M & S Supplier of the Year award in 2015 .
On its company website its says : `` We are proud to supply a wide range of chilled , frozen and ambient foods to some of the most successful retail and food service customers in the UK . ''
Greencore worker Nicolae Macari told the BBC he tested positive on August 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - who also work at Greencore - as well as his wife , reports The Mirror .
He said : `` When suddenly three or four people are pulled out of a line because they have tested positive , people are terrified . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Sophie Barley, Sanjeeta Bains)

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Almost 300 workers at a sandwich factory in Northampton have tested positive for Covid 19.
Lucy Wightman, director of public health at Northamptonshire County Council said 79 Greencore workers tested positive through NHS tests while 213 positive results came back from the factory's private testing, reports Chronicle Live.
A total of 292 out of 2,100 employees have tested positive for the virus.
They are now all self isolating.
Greencore said in a statement: "As a result of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Northampton area, we took the decision to start proactively testing all of the colleagues at our Northampton site.
"We can confirm that a number of colleagues have tested positive for the virus and are now self-isolating."
Greencore Group plc is a leading manufacturer of convenience foods.
It won M&S Supplier of the Year award in 2015.
On its company website its says: "We are proud to supply a wide range of chilled, frozen and ambient foods to some of the most successful retail and food service customers in the UK."
Greencore worker Nicolae Macari told the BBC he tested positive on August 4, along with his mother and father - who also work at Greencore - as well as his wife, reports The Mirror.
He said: "When suddenly three or four people are pulled out of a line because they have tested positive, people are terrified."


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Raul Jimenez told to leave Wolves amid Man United & Liverpool links

Mexican football expert Sergio Dipp has claimed that Raul Jimenez should leave Wolverhampton Wanderers following their Europa League exit .
Wrirting for ESPN , Dipp - who works for the American broadcaster - has said he thinks it is time for Jimenez to depart Molineux .
The Mexico international has scored an impressive 44 goals in 99 matches for Wolves , registering 18 assists too .
Jimenez was signed Benfica in 2018 after four years with the Portuiguese side and turned what was originally a loan move into a permanent deal in April last year .
Sign up for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box at the top of the page or click here As a result of his fine form in Old Gold , Jimenez has been constantly linked with a move away from Molineux with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool both reported to be keen .
And Jimenez has been told to secure a departure from the West Midlands , with Dipp thinking that should Adama Traore - who has also been linked with Jurgen Klopp 's side - move on then the former Atletico Madrid star 's supply line would be cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May , endured a torrid time at Altetico Madrid during his one season with Diego Simeone 's side , scoring only once in 28 matches .
`` The best thing Raul Jimenez can do is change of scene .
The English League has been very good for him , but the team has been too small for him .
He added : `` He should have a thirst for revenge and a desire to demonstrate at the highest level , because in May he will turn 30 and naturally the window will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take advantage of the fact that he is coming off the best season of his career . ''

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Mexican football expert Sergio Dipp has claimed that Raul Jimenez should leave Wolverhampton Wanderers following their Europa League exit.
Wrirting for ESPN, Dipp - who works for the American broadcaster - has said he thinks it is time for Jimenez to depart Molineux.
The Mexico international has scored an impressive 44 goals in 99 matches for Wolves, registering 18 assists too.
Jimenez was signed Benfica in 2018 after four years with the Portuiguese side and turned what was originally a loan move into a permanent deal in April last year.
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
As a result of his fine form in Old Gold, Jimenez has been constantly linked with a move away from Molineux with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool both reported to be keen.
And Jimenez has been told to secure a departure from the West Midlands, with Dipp thinking that should Adama Traore - who has also been linked with Jurgen Klopp's side - move on then the former Atletico Madrid star's supply line would be cut off.
Jimenez, who turns 30 in May, endured a torrid time at Altetico Madrid during his one season with Diego Simeone's side, scoring only once in 28 matches.
"Leave Wolverhampton now," Dipp writes.
"The best thing Raul Jimenez can do is change of scene. The English League has been very good for him, but the team has been too small for him.
He added: "He should have a thirst for revenge and a desire to demonstrate at the highest level, because in May he will turn 30 and naturally the window will be closing.
"So he has to take advantage of the fact that he is coming off the best season of his career."


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Body found in search for missing teenager at 'Blue Lagoon'

Police have found a body in their search for a missing teenager who had gone into the water at a Worcestershire quarry .
West Mercia Police along with other emergency services had been searching Shavers End Quarry – known as Blue Lagoon – in Dunley , near Stourport for a missing 17-year-old who was reported going in the water at 4.45pm on Wednesday ( August 12 ) .
Rescue crews from the fire , police and ambulance services searched on Wednesday evening to find the youngster .
And resumed their search on Thursday morning .
But the announcement that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before 5pm .
Detective Inspector Justin Taylor from West Mercia Police said : “ It ’ s with a heavy heart that we can confirm that a body has been found in our searches at the quarry.Whilst formal identification has not yet taken place we have update the family and the coroner has been informed.
” The boy was named by family members as Haider Ali from Bordesley Green .
Divers with specialist equipment had been seen carrying out a search for the teenager .
On Wednesday evening two ambulances , two paramedic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area Response Team , the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car had attended , together with fire and police crews .
On Thursday , the West Mercia Search and Rescue Team joined the search but it was to no avail .

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Police have found a body in their search for a missing teenager who had gone into the water at a Worcestershire quarry.
West Mercia Police along with other emergency services had been searching Shavers End Quarry – known as Blue Lagoon – in Dunley, near Stourport for a missing 17-year-old who was reported going in the water at 4.45pm on Wednesday (August 12).
Rescue crews from the fire, police and ambulance services searched on Wednesday evening to find the youngster. And resumed their search on Thursday morning.
But the announcement that a body had been found was made shortly before 5pm.
Detective Inspector Justin Taylor from West Mercia Police said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we can confirm that a body has been found in our searches at the quarry.Whilst formal identification has not yet taken place we have update the family and the coroner has been informed.”
The boy was named by family members as Haider Ali from Bordesley Green.
Divers with specialist equipment had been seen carrying out a search for the teenager.
On Wednesday evening two ambulances, two paramedic officers,the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car had attended, together with fire and police crews.
On Thursday, the West Mercia Search and Rescue Team joined the search but it was to no avail.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Shock moment driver runs red light narrowly missing dad and daughter in Tamworth

This is the terrifying moment a dad and daughter are milliseconds away from being hit by a car running a red light .
Steve Hampton and daughter Lily , aged five , had just been to Two Gates Club and were walking back home to Highcliffe Road on Friday night when the shocking incident happened as they crossed the road in Watling Street , Two Gates at the traffic lights outside Bradley Scott Windows .
“ It happened so quick , in a flash .
I felt out of reality at first and then I started getting really angry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ .
“ I just can not stop thinking about how lucky we were and what would have happened if it did hit her ; it would have been game over .
It plays through my mind all day every day .
“ I would like to think the driver was in control and would have swerved around us but I don ’ t know doing things like that .
“ In a normal , rational moment I would just turn around and get the registration but I just threw a can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have regrets that I put her in that danger but I know it is nothing to do with me.
” Steve crosses these exact lights every single day to get to work .
Explaining what happened on this occasion he recalls : “ Me and Lily were stood waiting , the lights turned red and the green light came on on the pedestrian sign .
“ I said to Lily ‘ come on let ’ s run across the road ’ .
Sometimes she likes to race me across .
“ Coming from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fazeley I could see a car coming and I thought ‘ that isn ’ t stopping ’ .
“ The next thing I know the car just brushes past us .
I think he was going 50 .
We were literally seconds from being hit , I would say.
” Staffordshire Police say : `` It was reported that a car drove through a red light at speed and narrowly missed a man and child crossing the road at Two Gates , Watling Street on Friday , August 7 at around 9.10pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any information can contact 101 , or report online , quoting incident number 255 of August 8 . ''

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This is the terrifying moment a dad and daughter are milliseconds away from being hit by a car running a red light.
Steve Hampton and daughter Lily, aged five, had just been to Two Gates Club and were walking back home to Highcliffe Road on Friday night when the shocking incident happened as they crossed the road in Watling Street, Two Gates at the traffic lights outside Bradley Scott Windows.
“I was really shaken up,” admits Steve.
“It happened so quick, in a flash. I felt out of reality at first and then I started getting really angry and thinking ‘did that really just happen?’.
“I just cannot stop thinking about how lucky we were and what would have happened if it did hit her; it would have been game over. It plays through my mind all day every day.
“I would like to think the driver was in control and would have swerved around us but I don’t know doing things like that.
“In a normal, rational moment I would just turn around and get the registration but I just threw a can of Coke and missed.
“I have regrets that I put her in that danger but I know it is nothing to do with me.”
Steve crosses these exact lights every single day to get to work.
Explaining what happened on this occasion he recalls: “Me and Lily were stood waiting, the lights turned red and the green light came on on the pedestrian sign.
“I said to Lily ‘come on let’s run across the road’. Sometimes she likes to race me across.
“Coming from the chip shop side going from Wilnecote to Fazeley I could see a car coming and I thought ‘that isn’t stopping’.
“The next thing I know the car just brushes past us. I think he was going 50. We were literally seconds from being hit, I would say.”
Steve reported the incident on Monday.
Staffordshire Police say: "It was reported that a car drove through a red light at speed and narrowly missed a man and child crossing the road at Two Gates, Watling Street on Friday, August 7 at around 9.10pm.
"Any witnesses or anyone with any information can contact 101, or report online, quoting incident number 255 of August 8."


birminghammail--2020-08-13--Tamworth couple host ABBA concert in their back garden

ABBA fans were saying thank you for the music after a Tamworth couple hosted a special concert in their own back garden .
There was something in the air that night when Vikki Holland-Bowyer and Greg Stevenson , aged 49 and 53 , who run The Reunion Group , put on the socially distanced 70s Music Micro Fest and The ABBA Reunion Tribute Show in front of 200 people at their home in Main Road , Harlaston on Saturday , August 8 .
Vikki said : “ It was so nice to see people smiling again and dancing and looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time warp to how we used to be but obviously with the social distancing .
“ On Saturday night this little bubble of people in Harlaston went back to the 70s and came out seeing light at the end of the tunnel .
“ Seeing the performers on stage look happy to be back where they belong and the audience looking so happy to see all this going on again was a lovely feeling .
We felt really proud .
I did have that thought of ‘ Wow .
We are back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” With social distancing measures , the concert , which raised £318 for Harlaston playing fields , had to be meticulously planned but volunteers and stewards ensured this was very much the case with zero issues to report and everyone abiding by the rules .
Vikki added : “ Obviously a lot of people were anxious because they did not know what to expect but once people had gotten over coming in and being escorted to their pitch and they were settled in and could see no one else was coming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Safety was the key .
There were no issues , no ambulances were required , there were no fights , no one getting rowdy , everybody just had a great time .
“ The feedback has been so positive , we are really happy .
We have had some great comments from people that came and said it was really well organised , they felt safe , loved the professionalism of it and everything that we did made them feel like it was the right thing for them to come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were so glad they could actually come to something in these bad times .
Nobody felt like they were in danger .
The performers and support acts have sent messages to me saying they were so grateful we had invited them along and it had done their mental health the world of good to be back doing what makes them happy .
“ There are too many to mention but we would like to thank the Harlaston Village Hall Parish and Mease Valley Community and all of the Reunion Group Team , entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard work.
” Next up for the couple is 80s MANIA which features a massive 28 tributes authentically recreated live on stage on August 29 .

ABBA fans were saying thank you for the music after a Tamworth couple hosted a special concert in their own back garden.
There was something in the air that night when Vikki Holland-Bowyer and Greg Stevenson, aged 49 and 53, who run The Reunion Group, put on the socially distanced 70s Music Micro Fest and The ABBA Reunion Tribute Show in front of 200 people at their home in Main Road, Harlaston on Saturday, August 8.
Vikki said: “It was so nice to see people smiling again and dancing and looking happy. It was a bit like a time warp to how we used to be but obviously with the social distancing.
“On Saturday night this little bubble of people in Harlaston went back to the 70s and came out seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
“Seeing the performers on stage look happy to be back where they belong and the audience looking so happy to see all this going on again was a lovely feeling. We felt really proud. I did have that thought of ‘Wow. We are back. This is actually happening!’.”
With social distancing measures, the concert, which raised £318 for Harlaston playing fields, had to be meticulously planned but volunteers and stewards ensured this was very much the case with zero issues to report and everyone abiding by the rules.
Vikki added: “Obviously a lot of people were anxious because they did not know what to expect but once people had gotten over coming in and being escorted to their pitch and they were settled in and could see no one else was coming in their space they were put at ease.
"Safety was the key. There were no issues, no ambulances were required, there were no fights, no one getting rowdy, everybody just had a great time.
“The feedback has been so positive, we are really happy. We have had some great comments from people that came and said it was really well organised, they felt safe, loved the professionalism of it and everything that we did made them feel like it was the right thing for them to come out and have fun again.
“They were so glad they could actually come to something in these bad times. Nobody felt like they were in danger.
The performers and support acts have sent messages to me saying they were so grateful we had invited them along and it had done their mental health the world of good to be back doing what makes them happy.
“There are too many to mention but we would like to thank the Harlaston Village Hall Parish and Mease Valley Community and all of the Reunion Group Team, entertainment and hospitality industry professionals for all their hard work.”
Next up for the couple is 80s MANIA which features a massive 28 tributes authentically recreated live on stage on August 29.


birminghammail--2020-08-13--'Announce Kane' - Birmingham City confirm Spurs friendly

Birmingham City will play Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly in London on August 29 ( 3pm ) .
Blues confirmed speculation that Jose Mourinho 's side would be among their pre-season tests this evening , pitting Aitor Karanka against his former boss at Real Madrid .
The Championship gets underway in just under a month and the club have said any other pre-season friendly fixtures will be announced in due course .
The match , due to be held at Spurs ' Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , will be Blues ' first trip to the new ground which was opened last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sign up for our Blues newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Because of restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic , matches will be held behind closed doors .
Spurs have also announced that League One side Ipswich Town and Blues ' Championship rivals Reading will also travel to North London for friendlies .
No streaming details have been announced by Blues yet but Spurs will be broadcasting the match on their service , N17 Live , for £10 .
Blues fans have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Announce Harry Kane , '' one said in jest .
`` Trust this being a time where no fans can attend games , '' said another .
`` Back to Cheltenham Town away next summer . ''
`` Nice of you to bag this one when we ca n't attend lads , '' a third fan said while another added : `` What an away day this would have been . ''
`` Scouting Kane , Toby Alderweireld and Paulo Gazzaniga , nice work , '' a fifth fan said .

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Birmingham City will play Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly in London on August 29 (3pm).
Blues confirmed speculation that Jose Mourinho's side would be among their pre-season tests this evening, pitting Aitor Karanka against his former boss at Real Madrid.
The Championship gets underway in just under a month and the club have said any other pre-season friendly fixtures will be announced in due course.
The match, due to be held at Spurs' Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will be Blues' first trip to the new ground which was opened last year and replaces White Hart Lane.
Sign up for our Blues newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Because of restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, matches will be held behind closed doors.
Spurs have also announced that League One side Ipswich Town and Blues' Championship rivals Reading will also travel to North London for friendlies.
No streaming details have been announced by Blues yet but Spurs will be broadcasting the match on their service, N17 Live, for £10.
Blues fans have had their say on the announcement.
"Announce Harry Kane," one said in jest.
"Trust this being a time where no fans can attend games," said another. "Back to Cheltenham Town away next summer."
"Nice of you to bag this one when we can't attend lads," a third fan said while another added: "What an away day this would have been."
"Scouting Kane, Toby Alderweireld and Paulo Gazzaniga, nice work," a fifth fan said.