birminghammail--2020-05-12--Birmingham health chief reveals biggest lessons from Covid-19 crisis

Hindsight is a wonderful gift not usually afforded to politicians , business and health leaders , who instead have to answer for decisions made without the aid of a crystal ball .
The coronavirus pandemic has been the single biggest health crisis of our lifetimes and , with the surge in the first wave of deaths now levelling off , there has been an opportunity to reflect on what might-have , could-have , should-have been .
A lack of testing , problems with supplying PPE to the frontline , the troubling death toll in care homes and soaring domestic violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national level - and were clearly the issues uppermost in the minds of regional leaders too .
At the weekly regional briefing hosted by Mayor Andy Street , we invited those present to reflect back six weeks ... and this is what they said they would have done differently .
Dr Dave Rosser , chief executive , Birmingham University Hospitals NHS Trust : `` We can ... .see we created too much capacity in hospital and with the Nightingale hospital .
`` But if you take that a step further and ask me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would say no - that insurance policy was worth its weight in gold .
`` I 'm sure the public found that very reassuring that we had that obvious capacity to fall back on , and I know my teams did - the pressures of potentially having to manage patients in corridors because we had run out of beds , as other countries did , would have been a horrible situation .
`` So you could be smarter with hindsight about capacity around the surge . ''
The hospital trusts , aided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared for the expected peak in hospital admissions by emptying acute beds , particularly of older people , and sending them on to rehabilitation settings , nursing and care homes , and back home .
Two mothballed wards at West Heath and Moseley Hall hospitals were opened , and anyone deemed fit for discharge from the acute hospitals was out , in readiness for Covid-19 patients .
At its peak in early to mid April , local acute hospitals did come close to capacity - but the Nightingale , created in a fortnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officially opened , remotely , by Prince William , went unused and has now been mothballed .
Nursing and care homes , meanwhile , encouraged to take in new admissions , including Covid-19 patients , have seen high death rates , with nearly 300 settings in the West Midlands still fighting active outbreaks .
Said Dr Rosser : `` Care homes , now that 's the biggest issue .
The reality is we know these pressures flow through the system - patients come to acute hospitals , sometimes then to intermediate care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was not beyond the wit of man to see that surge ( in hospitals ) would pass down the pipeline and pose problems to care homes , and as a system we were very slow to get on to that . ''
PPE was also an ongoing - and continuing - issue for hospitals and social care settings that could have been dealt with differently , he said .
`` The biggest problem has been PPE ( personal protective equipment ) , and that clearly would have been better handled had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand the natural instinct is that when you say 'this is n't going very well ' the instinct is to clutch it tighter , as senior managers we all recognise that instinct - but it 's an instinct to be avoided as it does n't often work . ''
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson : `` Speaking with 2020 vision , the initial language from Government was trying to play the issue down ... it did not feel right , that we were not taking it seriously enough , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So I think the message to learn for the future would be to take it more seriously .
`` For myself , I wish we had taken action on domestic abuse sooner . ''
Incidents of domestic abuse during lockdown have rocketed , with charities and refuges overwhelmed by reports of violence , torment and emotional abuse .
Cllr Paulette Hamilton , Birmingham City Council cabinet member for health and social care : `` I also thought immediately about PPE but also shielding ( was an issue ) .
`` If we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government advice and food pack deliveries to those with specific clinical issues/older people who were asked to 'shield ' for 12 weeks ) and looked at some of the inequality perhaps we would have not just gone for age and clinical shielding - we went down that road and completely missed some really vulnerable groups and that could have cost lives . ''
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street : `` The centralised command and control instinct was not right .
We are trying to set up a testing regime ( again ) now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not beyond the wit of man to work out that at some point we would have needed that .
We disbanded it at a particular stage of the epidemic ( when we moved from contain to delay phase , in mid March ) then had to rebuild it , that looks tricky to me - when testing is really , really important now , coming out of the lockdown , we find ourselves trying to build the capability ( anew ) at the same time as applying it . ''
Dr Rashmi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England for the Midlands and East : `` While the lockdown measures have worked really well for community transmission and brought the R number ( rate of infection ) down below one , we could have better understood the complexity and speed of what was happening in the care homes .
`` We have 15,000 care homes across the country , and the diversity of the sector and complexity of that - we could have understood much better five or six weeks ago . ''
Deborah Cadman , chief executive of West Midlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic coronavirus resilience board : `` I would have encouraged the Government to regionalise some of the actions it has taken , including the supply of PPE supplies and a regional approach to testing .
Those closest to communities and businesses are better placed to deliver this . ''
What do you think should have been done differently six weeks ago ?
The comments on this story are open .

Hindsight is a wonderful gift not usually afforded to politicians, business and health leaders, who instead have to answer for decisions made without the aid of a crystal ball.
The coronavirus pandemic has been the single biggest health crisis of our lifetimes and, with the surge in the first wave of deaths now levelling off, there has been an opportunity to reflect on what might-have, could-have, should-have been.
A lack of testing, problems with supplying PPE to the frontline, the troubling death toll in care homes and soaring domestic violence have all come under scrutiny at a national level - and were clearly the issues uppermost in the minds of regional leaders too.
At the weekly regional briefing hosted by Mayor Andy Street, we invited those present to reflect back six weeks...and this is what they said they would have done differently.
Dr Dave Rosser, chief executive, Birmingham University Hospitals NHS Trust : "We can....see we created too much capacity in hospital and with the Nightingale hospital.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
"But if you take that a step further and ask me would I have not done that, I would say no - that insurance policy was worth its weight in gold.
"I'm sure the public found that very reassuring that we had that obvious capacity to fall back on, and I know my teams did - the pressures of potentially having to manage patients in corridors because we had run out of beds, as other countries did, would have been a horrible situation.
"So you could be smarter with hindsight about capacity around the surge."
The hospital trusts, aided by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, prepared for the expected peak in hospital admissions by emptying acute beds, particularly of older people, and sending them on to rehabilitation settings, nursing and care homes, and back home.
Two mothballed wards at West Heath and Moseley Hall hospitals were opened, and anyone deemed fit for discharge from the acute hospitals was out, in readiness for Covid-19 patients.
At its peak in early to mid April, local acute hospitals did come close to capacity - but the Nightingale, created in a fortnight in a conference hall at the NEC and officially opened, remotely, by Prince William, went unused and has now been mothballed.
Nursing and care homes, meanwhile, encouraged to take in new admissions, including Covid-19 patients, have seen high death rates, with nearly 300 settings in the West Midlands still fighting active outbreaks.
(Image: PA)
Said Dr Rosser: "Care homes, now that's the biggest issue. The reality is we know these pressures flow through the system - patients come to acute hospitals, sometimes then to intermediate care, and then to care homes.
"It was not beyond the wit of man to see that surge (in hospitals) would pass down the pipeline and pose problems to care homes, and as a system we were very slow to get on to that."
PPE was also an ongoing - and continuing - issue for hospitals and social care settings that could have been dealt with differently, he said.
"The biggest problem has been PPE (personal protective equipment), and that clearly would have been better handled had it been more regionalised. I do understand the natural instinct is that when you say 'this isn't going very well' the instinct is to clutch it tighter, as senior managers we all recognise that instinct - but it's an instinct to be avoided as it doesn't often work."
(Image: PA)
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson : "Speaking with 2020 vision, the initial language from Government was trying to play the issue down...it did not feel right, that we were not taking it seriously enough, that with optimism it would go away. So I think the message to learn for the future would be to take it more seriously.
"For myself, I wish we had taken action on domestic abuse sooner."
Incidents of domestic abuse during lockdown have rocketed, with charities and refuges overwhelmed by reports of violence, torment and emotional abuse.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for health and social care: "I also thought immediately about PPE but also shielding (was an issue).
"If we had looked at the shielding issue (the government advice and food pack deliveries to those with specific clinical issues/older people who were asked to 'shield' for 12 weeks) and looked at some of the inequality perhaps we would have not just gone for age and clinical shielding - we went down that road and completely missed some really vulnerable groups and that could have cost lives."
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street: "The centralised command and control instinct was not right. We are trying to set up a testing regime (again) now but actually if you look back it was not beyond the wit of man to work out that at some point we would have needed that. We disbanded it at a particular stage of the epidemic (when we moved from contain to delay phase, in mid March) then had to rebuild it, that looks tricky to me - when testing is really, really important now, coming out of the lockdown, we find ourselves trying to build the capability (anew) at the same time as applying it."
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Dr Rashmi Shukla MBE, director of Public Health England for the Midlands and East: "While the lockdown measures have worked really well for community transmission and brought the R number (rate of infection) down below one, we could have better understood the complexity and speed of what was happening in the care homes.
"We have 15,000 care homes across the country, and the diversity of the sector and complexity of that - we could have understood much better five or six weeks ago."
Deborah Cadman, chief executive of West Midlands Combined Authority and a member of the strategic coronavirus resilience board: "I would have encouraged the Government to regionalise some of the actions it has taken, including the supply of PPE supplies and a regional approach to testing. Those closest to communities and businesses are better placed to deliver this."
What do you think should have been done differently six weeks ago? The comments on this story are open.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Gyms preparing to open within next fortnight after lockdown eased

Gyms could re-open within the next two weeks , according to the David Lloyds Clubs chief .
Glenn Earlam says during the lockdown Bris are `` yearning '' for exercise .
The firm has drawn up detailed cleaning and safety plans for its 100 UK sites , which are ready to re-open at two weeks ' notice .
He said : `` It 's not entirely clear but the way we 're reading the document is the earliest date at which we could open the whole of our clubs would be July 4 .
`` It 's not straightforward and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance is . ''
He added : `` If we could open a whole outdoor offering involving group exercise , involving tennis courts , swimming pools , we have outdoor catering areas , then it would be a much better stronger proposition from our point of view .
`` The outdoor component we believe we could open relatively easily and in a very safe environment .
`` I think this is at the moment something people are yearning for . ''
David Lloyd Clubs has more than 600,000 members and 100 clubs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further 15 across Ireland and continental Europe .
Mr Earlam continued : `` The idea is people would greet you when you arrive , hand sanitisation , controlling numbers in and out of the building a bit like supermarkets ... creating social distancing , wiping everything down after it 's been used , after group exercise classes there would be a whole cleaning regime at the end of each class . ''
There would also be Perspex screens to protect reception staff , rules on sharing equipment and staggered break-times to protect workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he added .
And he concluded : `` The thing that is different about health and fitness , as the chief medical officer has said several times , it is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from the virus .
`` I 'm struggling to understand the logic why opening a shopping centre would be safer than opening one of our facilities .
`` You analyse what we 're doing and what our plan is and you think 'certainly some parts of that if not all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' - but we 're told to wait until July .
`` Rules seem to be different everywhere .
Gyms in Switzerland could open from yesterday , and that had already been the case in the Czech Republic .
`` In Holland it 's not until September , but in Holland indoor swimming pools can now be open .
`` Whereas in Germany , I think in one of the regions we will be able to operate one of our clubs from Friday with everything except the indoor swimming pools .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what these standards should be .
But it 's new science and people are trying to work it out to be fair . ''

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Gyms could re-open at just two weeks notice, according to the David Lloyds Clubs chief.
Glenn Earlam says during the lockdown Bris are "yearning" for exercise.
The firm has drawn up detailed cleaning and safety plans for its 100 UK sites, which are ready to re-open at two weeks' notice.
He said: "It's not entirely clear but the way we're reading the document is the earliest date at which we could open the whole of our clubs would be July 4.
"It's not straightforward and it's not particularly clear what the guidance is."
He added: "If we could open a whole outdoor offering involving group exercise, involving tennis courts, swimming pools, we have outdoor catering areas, then it would be a much better stronger proposition from our point of view.
"The outdoor component we believe we could open relatively easily and in a very safe environment.
"I think this is at the moment something people are yearning for."
David Lloyd Clubs has more than 600,000 members and 100 clubs in the UK, as well as a further 15 across Ireland and continental Europe.
Mr Earlam continued: "The idea is people would greet you when you arrive, hand sanitisation, controlling numbers in and out of the building a bit like supermarkets ... creating social distancing, wiping everything down after it's been used, after group exercise classes there would be a whole cleaning regime at the end of each class."
There would also be Perspex screens to protect reception staff, rules on sharing equipment and staggered break-times to protect workers, most of whom are on furlough, he added.
And he concluded: "The thing that is different about health and fitness, as the chief medical officer has said several times, it is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from the virus.
"I'm struggling to understand the logic why opening a shopping centre would be safer than opening one of our facilities.
"You analyse what we're doing and what our plan is and you think 'certainly some parts of that if not all of it could potentially be open by June' - but we're told to wait until July.
"We don't fully understand that.
"Rules seem to be different everywhere. Gyms in Switzerland could open from yesterday, and that had already been the case in the Czech Republic.
"In Holland it's not until September, but in Holland indoor swimming pools can now be open.
"Whereas in Germany, I think in one of the regions we will be able to operate one of our clubs from Friday with everything except the indoor swimming pools.
"So there's certainly no international coordination of what these standards should be. But it's new science and people are trying to work it out to be fair."


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Lichfield's tribute to Florence Nightingale on International Nurses Day

A moving artwork for International Nurses Day highlighting the anniversary of Florence Nightingale ’ s 200th birthday has been projected onto Lichfield Cathedral .
Defence Medical Services , Lichfield Cathedral and Luxmuralis Artistic collaboration , Peter Walker and David Harper , have come together to pay tribute , highlighting the immeasurable contribution of nurses in civic and military life .
Photographs , and footage of the projections will be revealed on the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale ’ s birth .
People will also be able to see the full light show online via Lichfield Cathedrals and the Defence Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artworks join other historic landmarks also marking International Nurses Day and Florence Nightingale ’ s bicentenary .
Luxmuralis artist Peter Walker said : “ This anniversary allows us to reflect that duty , care and service around the world , since the foundation of modern nursing by Florence Nightingale to the present day should not be forgotten.
” Colonel S Findlay , Defence Nursing Advisor , said : “ Military and Ministry of Defence civilian nurses have stood shoulder to shoulder with their civilian colleagues throughout history .
“ Today , as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a new battle ; nurses are working tirelessly with the common goal to save lives and reduce the impact and spread of coronavirus .
“ We are enormously proud of all nurses , and what they are achieving in these extraordinary times .
”

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A moving artwork for International Nurses Day highlighting the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday has been projected onto Lichfield Cathedral.
Defence Medical Services, Lichfield Cathedral and Luxmuralis Artistic collaboration, Peter Walker and David Harper, have come together to pay tribute, highlighting the immeasurable contribution of nurses in civic and military life.
Photographs, and footage of the projections will be revealed on the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. People will also be able to see the full light show online via Lichfield Cathedrals and the Defence Medical Services social media platforms.
The projected artworks join other historic landmarks also marking International Nurses Day and Florence Nightingale’s bicentenary.
Luxmuralis artist Peter Walker said: “This anniversary allows us to reflect that duty, care and service around the world, since the foundation of modern nursing by Florence Nightingale to the present day should not be forgotten.”
Colonel S Findlay, Defence Nursing Advisor, said: “Military and Ministry of Defence civilian nurses have stood shoulder to shoulder with their civilian colleagues throughout history.
“Today, as we reflect on International Nurses Day, we face a new battle; nurses are working tirelessly with the common goal to save lives and reduce the impact and spread of coronavirus.
“We are enormously proud of all nurses, and what they are achieving in these extraordinary times.”


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Stonehenge summer solstice 2020 event cancelled over coronavirus

This year 's summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge have been officially cancelled due to coronavirus - but will be live streamed instead .
More than 10,000 people would usually gather at the monument on or around June 21 to mark the occasion - otherwise known as midsummer .
But English Heritage has taken the decision to shut down the 2020 event at the historic site near Amesbury , Wilts.
, due to COVID-19 .
Summer solstice is one of the few occasions when the charity opens up the stones to public access .
Nichola Tasker , director at Stonehenge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulted widely on whether we could have proceeded safely and we would have dearly liked to host the event as per usual .
`` But sadly in the end , we feel we have no choice but to cancel .
`` We hope that our live stream offers an alternative opportunity for people near and far to connect with this spiritual place at such a special time of year and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year . ''
English Heritage added that it had consulted with the emergency services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , before making the decision .

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This year's summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge have been officially cancelled due to coronavirus - but will be live streamed instead.
More than 10,000 people would usually gather at the monument on or around June 21 to mark the occasion - otherwise known as midsummer.
But English Heritage has taken the decision to shut down the 2020 event at the historic site near Amesbury, Wilts., due to COVID-19.
Summer solstice is one of the few occasions when the charity opens up the stones to public access.
Nichola Tasker, director at Stonehenge, told the BBC: "We have consulted widely on whether we could have proceeded safely and we would have dearly liked to host the event as per usual.
(Image: PA)
"But sadly in the end, we feel we have no choice but to cancel.
"We hope that our live stream offers an alternative opportunity for people near and far to connect with this spiritual place at such a special time of year and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year."
English Heritage added that it had consulted with the emergency services and the druid and pagan community, among others, before making the decision.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Woman with asthma for more than 50 years says playing the clarinet has cured it

A woman who has suffered with chronic asthma for more than 50 years has finally found a remedy - playing the clarinet .
Maxine Bradley , 78 , took up the woodwind instrument last year after a friend of hers suggested the breathing technique required to play it could help with her wheezing .
Now , after twelve months of lessons , she no longer has to gasp for air and her breathing has improved .
Retired teacher Maxine said : “ I can ’ t believe how much better I have felt .
It is the first time I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asthma for years.
” She credits the breathing control required to get a note out of the clarinet for strengthening her lungs and helping her to recover .
Maxine said : “ I have been a chronic asthmatic since I was 27 .
It was like having a little mouse following you around the house - I would be wheezing all the time.
” In the past she has tried cycling , swimming , and even yoga in an attempt to ease her symptoms .
Maxine and her husband Tony , 81 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and it was there that a doctor friend suggested she could play a woodwind instrument to help her condition .
Thoughtful Tony then bought her a clarinet for her 77th birthday in February 2019 .
She started lessons at Blackpool Music Academy when they came back to the UK later that year .
Maxine said : “ I said to my teacher at the academy , that I ’ m not a musician and I don ’ t really know anything about music .
“ He was patient and really helped me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bilk ’ s ‘ Strangers on the Shore ’ , which is my favourite piece of music .
“ I still can ’ t play very much else .
My husband puts cotton wool buds in his ears when I start to play.
” Maxine still takes medication for her asthma twice a day but has noticed a huge difference in her breathing .
She had never played a musical instrument before deciding to take up the clarinet at age of 77 .
She said : “ All my family were in hysterics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I maybe played a tambourine at school but that ’ s it.
” “ I never would have thought that at 78 I would be blowing a clarinet .
“ Within eight weeks my teacher had got me playing a tune - not very well , but I could play the song.
” Maxine , who is currently shielding at her home in Lytham St Anne ’ s , Lancs.
, was having lessons twice a week and hopes to get back to them as soon as the lockdown is lifted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and three grandchildren who have all been impressed by her new musical skill .
She now wishes she had started playing the instrument sooner .
Maxine said : “ I ’ m sure it is the breathing control that helps , because you are breathing from lower down .
“ I ’ m no medic but it has definitely helped me .
“ I honestly think if I ’ d have taken it up at 27 , instead of leaving it this long , it would have helped me so much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
”

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A woman who has suffered with chronic asthma for more than 50 years has finally found a remedy - playing the clarinet.
Maxine Bradley, 78, took up the woodwind instrument last year after a friend of hers suggested the breathing technique required to play it could help with her wheezing.
Now, after twelve months of lessons, she no longer has to gasp for air and her breathing has improved.
Retired teacher Maxine said: “I can’t believe how much better I have felt. It is the first time I have been ‘wheeze-free’ with no asthma for years.”
She credits the breathing control required to get a note out of the clarinet for strengthening her lungs and helping her to recover.
Maxine said: “I have been a chronic asthmatic since I was 27. It was like having a little mouse following you around the house - I would be wheezing all the time.”
(Image: Blackpool Gaz / SWNS)
In the past she has tried cycling, swimming, and even yoga in an attempt to ease her symptoms.
Maxine and her husband Tony, 81, live in Florida for half the year - and it was there that a doctor friend suggested she could play a woodwind instrument to help her condition.
Thoughtful Tony then bought her a clarinet for her 77th birthday in February 2019.
She started lessons at Blackpool Music Academy when they came back to the UK later that year.
Maxine said: “I said to my teacher at the academy, that I’m not a musician and I don’t really know anything about music.
“He was patient and really helped me. He taught me to play Acker Bilk’s ‘Strangers on the Shore’, which is my favourite piece of music.
“I still can’t play very much else. My husband puts cotton wool buds in his ears when I start to play.”
(Image: Blackpool Gaz / SWNS)
Maxine still takes medication for her asthma twice a day but has noticed a huge difference in her breathing.
She had never played a musical instrument before deciding to take up the clarinet at age of 77.
She said: “All my family were in hysterics. They thought I was going mad. I maybe played a tambourine at school but that’s it.”
“I never would have thought that at 78 I would be blowing a clarinet.
“Within eight weeks my teacher had got me playing a tune - not very well, but I could play the song.”
Maxine, who is currently shielding at her home in Lytham St Anne’s, Lancs., was having lessons twice a week and hopes to get back to them as soon as the lockdown is lifted.
Her and her husband Tony have three children and three grandchildren who have all been impressed by her new musical skill.
She now wishes she had started playing the instrument sooner.
Maxine said: “I’m sure it is the breathing control that helps, because you are breathing from lower down.
“I’m no medic but it has definitely helped me.
“I honestly think if I’d have taken it up at 27, instead of leaving it this long, it would have helped me so much more.
"Nobody ever suggested it to me.”


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Mum turns fence into window so toddler best friends can play in lockdown

Toddler friends who live next door can now play amid lockdown - after a mum turned a section of garden fence into a PERSPEX window .
Siblings Arlo and Arabella Devonport , three and two , were missing their pal Leo Adlington , three , who lives next door .
Their Amy Vickers , 27 , came up with the idea of making a hole on their communal fence , between their gardens in Wakefield , Yorkshire .
And after Leo 's mum Becca agreed , they set to work , and now the three children can safely play together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures for each other and play noughts and crosses using wipeable markers .
Amy , a support worker , who lives with partner Danny , 30 , said : `` Arlo and Arabella have been finding it hard not seeing anyone during lockdown .
`` It got to the point where they were climbing on top of the rabbit cage that we have next to the fence so they could see over it into the neighbour 's garden which is clearly dangerous .
`` Instead of them climbing up , we decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be able to stand there and see their friend next door .
`` We measured the fence and then ordered a perspex panel on eBay , cut into the fence panel with a circular saw and drilled some holes in each corner so we could screw some screws into it to hold it in place .
`` At least now the children can see each other and chat through the window .
`` We also bought wipe board markers so they now draw pictures on it and we 've been teaching them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
`` The kids are at the window all day every day when we are at home so I guess they love it ! ''

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Toddler friends who live next door can now play amid lockdown - after a mum turned a section of garden fence into a PERSPEX window.
Siblings Arlo and Arabella Devonport, three and two, were missing their pal Leo Adlington, three, who lives next door.
Their Amy Vickers, 27, came up with the idea of making a hole on their communal fence, between their gardens in Wakefield, Yorkshire.
And after Leo's mum Becca agreed, they set to work, and now the three children can safely play together without touching.
They can even draw pictures for each other and play noughts and crosses using wipeable markers.
(Image: Amy Vickers / SWNS.COM)
Amy, a support worker, who lives with partner Danny, 30, said: "Arlo and Arabella have been finding it hard not seeing anyone during lockdown.
"It got to the point where they were climbing on top of the rabbit cage that we have next to the fence so they could see over it into the neighbour's garden which is clearly dangerous.
"Instead of them climbing up, we decided to make them a little window so they would be able to stand there and see their friend next door.
"We measured the fence and then ordered a perspex panel on eBay, cut into the fence panel with a circular saw and drilled some holes in each corner so we could screw some screws into it to hold it in place.
(Image: Amy Vickers / SWNS.COM)
"At least now the children can see each other and chat through the window.
"We also bought wipe board markers so they now draw pictures on it and we've been teaching them to play naughts and crosses on it as well.
(Image: Amy Vickers / SWNS.COM)
"The kids are at the window all day every day when we are at home so I guess they love it!"


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Concern for missing Birmingham woman not seen in four days

Fears are growing for a missing Birmingham mum who has not been seen for four days .
Yasmeen Hiatt , from Kings Norton , was last spotted on Friday , May 8 , and last heard from on Sunday , May 10 .
The 36-year-old is Asian , around 5ft 4ins tall and has dark shoulder-length hair .
It is believed she was wearing a green jacket and jeans .
West Midlands Police launched an appeal for information on its social media channels which was shared dozens of times in a matter of minutes .
The force urged people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via its Live Chat facility on its website if they had details on where Yasmeen might be .
A post on the force 's Facebook page said : `` # MISSING | Have you seen Yasmeen Hiatt ?
The 36-year-old from # Kingsnorton , Birmingham was last seen on Friday ( 8 May ) and has n't been heard from since Sunday ( 10 May ) and we are growing concerned for her welfare .
`` Yasmeen is described as Asian and approximately 5ft 4in tall with dark coloured , shoulder length hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green jacket and jeans .
If you have seen her , or have any information , please contact the locate team via Live Chat or 101 . ''
West Midlands Police class someone as missing if 'their whereabouts can not be established and where the circumstances are out of character or the person may be subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or someone else ' .
The force also says a person could be classed as absent 'if they are not at a place where they are expected or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent risk ' .
Their website west-midlands.police.uk has a range of advice and options applicable to different situations including if the person has gone missing before or if people reporting information do not speak English very well .

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Fears are growing for a missing Birmingham mum who has not been seen for four days.
Yasmeen Hiatt, from Kings Norton, was last spotted on Friday, May 8, and last heard from on Sunday, May 10.
The 36-year-old is Asian, around 5ft 4ins tall and has dark shoulder-length hair. It is believed she was wearing a green jacket and jeans.
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West Midlands Police launched an appeal for information on its social media channels which was shared dozens of times in a matter of minutes. The force urged people to call officers on 101 or make contact via its Live Chat facility on its website if they had details on where Yasmeen might be.
A post on the force's Facebook page said: "#MISSING | Have you seen Yasmeen Hiatt? The 36-year-old from #Kingsnorton, Birmingham was last seen on Friday (8 May) and hasn't been heard from since Sunday (10 May) and we are growing concerned for her welfare.
"Yasmeen is described as Asian and approximately 5ft 4in tall with dark coloured, shoulder length hair. We believe she was wearing a green jacket and jeans. If you have seen her, or have any information, please contact the locate team via Live Chat or 101."
West Midlands Police class someone as missing if 'their whereabouts cannot be established and where the circumstances are out of character or the person may be subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or someone else'.
The force also says a person could be classed as absent 'if they are not at a place where they are expected or required to be and there is no apparent risk'.
Their website west-midlands.police.uk has a range of advice and options applicable to different situations including if the person has gone missing before or if people reporting information do not speak English very well.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Huge garden centre chain to open ALL branches tomorrow -  these are the rules

The garden centre giant is reopening all 54 of its branches in England tomorrow , May 13 .
But customers heading back to a string of locations across the Midlands will notice major changes with cafes open for takeaway only from Friday , May 15 and the popular soft play spaces still shut .
The centres will also limit the number of customers allowed inside , meaning shoppers can expect to queue outside .
And staff and customers will be asked to keep two metres apart once through the doors .
The retailer said it had installed screens at checkouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations will be at entrances and shoppers will be asked to pay by card or contactless payments where possible .
The reopening follows the Prime Minister 's announcement on Sunday night that elements of the lockdown would be eased .
And only branches in England will be open with devolved administrations in other parts of the UK adopting their own lockdown policies .
Dobbies said staff would receive training and regular briefings on how to keep themselves and customers safe and daily hygiene routines would continue throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We have taken care to ensure we are following guidance provided by the Government , British Retail Consortium and Horticultural Trade Association to reopen responsibly .
“ Our team is well prepared , social distancing measures are in place and we look forward to welcoming customers back into our stores in Warwickshire and across England .
“ I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times .
”

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The garden centre giant is reopening all 54 of its branches in England tomorrow, May 13.
But customers heading back to a string of locations across the Midlands will notice major changes with cafes open for takeaway only from Friday, May 15 and the popular soft play spaces still shut.
The centres will also limit the number of customers allowed inside, meaning shoppers can expect to queue outside.
And staff and customers will be asked to keep two metres apart once through the doors.
The retailer said it had installed screens at checkouts and staff had been given PPE.
Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations will be at entrances and shoppers will be asked to pay by card or contactless payments where possible.
The reopening follows the Prime Minister's announcement on Sunday night that elements of the lockdown would be eased.
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And only branches in England will be open with devolved administrations in other parts of the UK adopting their own lockdown policies.
Dobbies said staff would receive training and regular briefings on how to keep themselves and customers safe and daily hygiene routines would continue throughout the stores.
Chief executive Graeme Jenkins said: “We have taken care to ensure we are following guidance provided by the Government, British Retail Consortium and Horticultural Trade Association to reopen responsibly.
“Our team is well prepared, social distancing measures are in place and we look forward to welcoming customers back into our stores in Warwickshire and across England.
“I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times.”


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Man coughs at cop saying he 'has corona' after being caught with no ticket

A man from Birmingham brazenly coughed at a cop - telling him he wanted to `` give them corona '' - after being rumbled travelling without a ticket .
Twisted 21-year-old Orieghn Quintyne was caught by Manchester Victoria staff as he attempted to get a train to Halifax .
But after appearing in front of magistrates , he tried to claim his cough emerged while he spluttered as he ate a biscuit .
The passenger claimed he did n't have the money to buy a ticket after he was stopped in the North West , reports the Manchester Evening News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed on the train , causing a row between himself and staff .
As BTP officers took over , he coughed in the direction of one of the officers - and sneezed at another - before saying he wanted to 'give them corona ' .
He was arrested before defecating in a cell .
Quintyne pleaded guilty to two offences of assaulting an emergency worker ; and criminal damage .
He was jailed for 32 weeks .
Prosecutor Robin Lynch said that on Saturday evening ( May 9 ) , Quintyne became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to board a train to Halifax without a ticket - or money to buy one .
`` He told the staff he had 'corona ' and was travelling to live with family who could look after him , '' Mr Lynch said .
`` They told him he was n't allowed to travel on the train and he was allowed some time to go and have a cigarette .
`` He was argumentative when he came back and he told staff he was going to attempt to climb over the barrier and officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then coughed in the direction of one of the officers and sneezed at another one as well , and said he wanted to 'give them corona ' .
`` When he was arrested they placed him in a police cell .
`` There was a dirty protest and the cell will now have to be professionally cleaned . ''
One of the officers said in a statement : `` The point we were quite concerned about was when someone was saying they had the coronavirus and they were deliberately coughing at us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Defence lawyer Rodriguez Landale said his client suffers from severe anxiety and depression and had been advised to go and stay at a friend 's house to avoid the risk of self-harm .
`` Based on that advice , he took a train from Birmingham to go to a friend who stays in Halifax , '' he added .
`` When he arrived in Manchester Victoria train station he bought another ticket to Halifax .
`` He is saying the ticket was n't correct - he was sold a tram ticket instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have any money when he left and his phone battery was dead , so he was not able to buy another ticket and not able to find or call a friend or find another ticket . ''
Quintyne claimed he did n't try to climb over the barrier .
`` At some point he suggested he could be allowed to travel back to Birmingham - this was refused and he became desperate , '' Mr Landale said .
`` He suggested they could give him a phone to ring someone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing else for him to do .
`` He had a packet of biscuits he was eating at the time , and due to him having the biscuits , he was unable to prevent himself from coughing on the police officers .
`` He accepts he should n't have done that at the time and said it was reckless rather than intentional .
`` He never said he had corona .
`` What happened at the police station - he said it was a mistake , it was an accident . ''
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I was trying to get support .
`` It 's a small situation that escalated and now I 'm sitting in front of you in the magistrates . ''
Sentencing , District Jack Mcgarva said : `` The matter is that the assaults are at a time when we will feel the impact of it in the current crisis . ''
Quintyne , of St Thomas Road , was also ordered to pay £156 victim surcharge .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Amy Walker, James Rodger)

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A man from Birmingham brazenly coughed at a cop - telling him he wanted to "give them corona" - after being rumbled travelling without a ticket.
Twisted 21-year-old Orieghn Quintyne was caught by Manchester Victoria staff as he attempted to get a train to Halifax.
But after appearing in front of magistrates, he tried to claim his cough emerged while he spluttered as he ate a biscuit.
The passenger claimed he didn't have the money to buy a ticket after he was stopped in the North West, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He was told he wouldn't be allowed on the train, causing a row between himself and staff.
As BTP officers took over, he coughed in the direction of one of the officers - and sneezed at another - before saying he wanted to 'give them corona'.
(Image: MEN Media)
He was arrested before defecating in a cell.
Quintyne pleaded guilty to two offences of assaulting an emergency worker; and criminal damage. He was jailed for 32 weeks.
Prosecutor Robin Lynch said that on Saturday evening (May 9), Quintyne became argumentative with staff at Victoria after asking to board a train to Halifax without a ticket - or money to buy one.
"He told the staff he had 'corona' and was travelling to live with family who could look after him," Mr Lynch said.
"They told him he wasn't allowed to travel on the train and he was allowed some time to go and have a cigarette.
"He was argumentative when he came back and he told staff he was going to attempt to climb over the barrier and officers had to take over.
"He then coughed in the direction of one of the officers and sneezed at another one as well, and said he wanted to 'give them corona'.
"When he was arrested they placed him in a police cell.
"There was a dirty protest and the cell will now have to be professionally cleaned."
One of the officers said in a statement: "The point we were quite concerned about was when someone was saying they had the coronavirus and they were deliberately coughing at us to attempt to give us the virus."
Defence lawyer Rodriguez Landale said his client suffers from severe anxiety and depression and had been advised to go and stay at a friend's house to avoid the risk of self-harm.
"Based on that advice, he took a train from Birmingham to go to a friend who stays in Halifax," he added.
"When he arrived in Manchester Victoria train station he bought another ticket to Halifax.
"He is saying the ticket wasn't correct - he was sold a tram ticket instead of a train ticket.
"He did not have any money when he left and his phone battery was dead, so he was not able to buy another ticket and not able to find or call a friend or find another ticket."
Quintyne claimed he didn't try to climb over the barrier.
"At some point he suggested he could be allowed to travel back to Birmingham - this was refused and he became desperate," Mr Landale said.
"He suggested they could give him a phone to ring someone and his request was refused. There was nothing else for him to do.
"He had a packet of biscuits he was eating at the time, and due to him having the biscuits, he was unable to prevent himself from coughing on the police officers.
"He accepts he shouldn't have done that at the time and said it was reckless rather than intentional.
"He never said he had corona.
"What happened at the police station - he said it was a mistake, it was an accident."
Speaking from the dock, father-of-one Quintyne said: "I was trying to get support.
"It's a small situation that escalated and now I'm sitting in front of you in the magistrates."
Sentencing, District Jack Mcgarva said: "The matter is that the assaults are at a time when we will feel the impact of it in the current crisis."
Quintyne, of St Thomas Road, was also ordered to pay £156 victim surcharge.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Palhinha breaks silence on transfer rumours amid Wolves 'talks'

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with a summer move for Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha .
Sporting 's Palhinha has shone this season on-loan with Braga , playing 35 times in all competitions , and Nuno Espirito Santo has reportedly identified him as a transfer target .
He played in both Europa League group games against Wolves , helping Braga to a famous 1-0 win at Molineux before orchestrating the comeback in the dramatic 3-3 draw out in Portugal .
According to a report in O Jogo ( via TugaScout ) , the defensive midfielder was set to rejoin Sporting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans in place for him to step into the first team .
However , it is now suggested that they could sell Palhinha for €15m and are already negotiating with Wolves over a potential transfer .
But Palhinha insists his future wo n't be decided until the end of the season .
`` There has been a lot of speculation and I do n't even know how my future will be , '' he told Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo .
`` The nearest future is waiting for this to return to normal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see what happens . ''
Palhinha has also been linked with a transfer to West Ham , while reports on the continent suggest clubs in Spain and Germany are chasing him .
Sign up to your our daily Wolves newsletter HERE

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with a summer move for Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Sporting's Palhinha has shone this season on-loan with Braga, playing 35 times in all competitions, and Nuno Espirito Santo has reportedly identified him as a transfer target.
He played in both Europa League group games against Wolves, helping Braga to a famous 1-0 win at Molineux before orchestrating the comeback in the dramatic 3-3 draw out in Portugal.
According to a report in O Jogo (via TugaScout), the defensive midfielder was set to rejoin Sporting at the end of the season, with plans in place for him to step into the first team.
However, it is now suggested that they could sell Palhinha for €15m and are already negotiating with Wolves over a potential transfer.
But Palhinha insists his future won't be decided until the end of the season.
"There has been a lot of speculation and I don't even know how my future will be," he told Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo. "The nearest future is waiting for this to return to normal. When the season ends, I'll see what happens."
Palhinha has also been linked with a transfer to West Ham, while reports on the continent suggest clubs in Spain and Germany are chasing him.
Sign up to our daily Wolves newsletter HERE


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Mum uses late grandmother's books to transform walls of home in sweet tribute

A creative mum who could n't bear to part with her late grandmother 's collection of novels used pages - to wallpaper her home .
Jess Fleet , 36 , had always been close to her gran Hazel and loved reading books with her as a child .
Hazel passed away in 2010 and personal assistant Jess kept hold of many of her possessions including her beloved books .
After buying a house in Farndon , Cheshire with her partner Ben , 39 , in February 2019 , the mum of three came across the boxes of books .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treasured books as wallpaper .
One of her auntie 's favourite books , a 1962 copy of Swallows and Amazons , had been falling apart but can now proudly be seen pasted on the walls of Jess ' downstairs bathroom .
The pages have been pasted with such care that visitors can even read the book when they visit Jess ' home and the stunning walls serve as a beautiful tribute to her late grandmother .
Jess said : `` Every time I walk in there now , I think of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and takes me back to her house when we were growing up !
`` Books are an absolute treasure , especially in this day and age when more and more people are reading digital copies .
`` My grandma used to read to me and did love reading the likes of Margaret Drabble and Catherine Cookson .
We used to go the the local library every Friday together .
`` With that and the fact that these books have been in my family , some for three generations , my sentimentality couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year we bought our home and over the last 12 months have been slowly unboxing and sorting through our belongings and I came across the two boxes of books .
`` I sat and looked through them all one by one to see what goodies we had .
Some of them are from the late 1800 ’ s and early 1900 ’ s !
`` I knew that they couldn ’ t just stay in the boxes , it just felt wrong so began using the beautiful hardbacks around the house as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelves complementing different colour schemes .
`` I wanted to paper our downstairs bathroom and feel that this is a room in which you can be a little unique .
`` I hunted high and low for a wallpaper that was a little different but found nothing that I loved and then one night the books popped into my head and I realised that instead of them sitting there I could put them to good use .
`` They would look nice and we would have some good reading material whilst in there @ @ @

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A creative mum who couldn't bear to part with her late grandmother's collection of novels used pages - to wallpaper her home.
Jess Fleet, 36, had always been close to her gran Hazel and loved reading books with her as a child.
Hazel passed away in 2010 and personal assistant Jess kept hold of many of her possessions including her beloved books.
After buying a house in Farndon, Cheshire with her partner Ben, 39, in February 2019, the mum of three came across the boxes of books.
She transformed her walls by using pages of the treasured books as wallpaper.
(Image: Jess Fleet / SWNS.COM)
One of her auntie's favourite books, a 1962 copy of Swallows and Amazons, had been falling apart but can now proudly be seen pasted on the walls of Jess' downstairs bathroom.
The pages have been pasted with such care that visitors can even read the book when they visit Jess' home and the stunning walls serve as a beautiful tribute to her late grandmother.
Jess said: "Every time I walk in there now, I think of her. Even the smell is incredibly emotive and takes me back to her house when we were growing up!
(Image: Jess Fleet / SWNS.COM)
"Books are an absolute treasure, especially in this day and age when more and more people are reading digital copies.
"My grandma used to read to me and did love reading the likes of Margaret Drabble and Catherine Cookson. We used to go the the local library every Friday together.
"With that and the fact that these books have been in my family, some for three generations, my sentimentality couldn’t let them go.
"Last year we bought our home and over the last 12 months have been slowly unboxing and sorting through our belongings and I came across the two boxes of books.
"I sat and looked through them all one by one to see what goodies we had. Some of them are from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s!
"I knew that they couldn’t just stay in the boxes, it just felt wrong so began using the beautiful hardbacks around the house as part of our decor, displaying them on shelves complementing different colour schemes.
"I wanted to paper our downstairs bathroom and feel that this is a room in which you can be a little unique.
"I hunted high and low for a wallpaper that was a little different but found nothing that I loved and then one night the books popped into my head and I realised that instead of them sitting there I could put them to good use.
(Image: Jess Fleet / SWNS.COM)
"They would look nice and we would have some good reading material whilst in there too!"


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Moment swarm of a thousand bees invade town centre as police tape off area

Watch the staggering moment a huge swarm of bees invade a town centre - causing police to tape off an area .
Cops taped off the bench after the staggering scenes played out in the Midlands .
The incident unfolded on May 9 and saw the swarm of bees settle on a bench in Stafford .
Footage filmed by Andy Hughes shows the bees outside Ryman , in Gaolgate Street , last Saturday ( May 9 ) .
And a photo also shows the swarm gathering on the leg of a bench which had been cordoned off with police tape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stafford , said : `` I was just going out on my hour-long bike ride going through the town centre and I heard a lot of buzzing around the area .
`` As I got closer I noticed a very large swarm of bees by the old M & S store .
I then got the picture to let others know around the Stafford area . ''
Dozens of residents commented after the footage and photos were posted on the Stafford Town Awareness Group Facebook page .
While some were quite alarmed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point out that the honey bees would move on in their own time .
One man said : `` Bees temporarily mass like that whilst looking for a suitable place to nest .
They tend to stay for an hour or two before moving on .
It 's nothing to be afraid of and a sight to behold . ''
And another added : `` These are clearly honey bees and once they have found a place to relocate they will move on .
They are highly unlikely to sting if left alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coming up close to a swarm of bees .
She said : `` I was in a swarm in the train station car park a few years ago - they landed eventually on the garage opposite .
`` It was a bit hairy going to get my car with hundreds of bees flying about my head , but also 'wow ' .
They wo n't hurt you . ''
Swarming is the process by which a new colony is formed when the Queen bee leaves with a large group of worker bees @

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Hayley Parker, James Rodger)

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Watch the staggering moment a huge swarm of bees invade a town centre - causing police to tape off an area.
Cops taped off the bench after the staggering scenes played out in the Midlands.
The incident unfolded on May 9 and saw the swarm of bees settle on a bench in Stafford.
Footage filmed by Andy Hughes shows the bees outside Ryman, in Gaolgate Street, last Saturday (May 9).
And a photo also shows the swarm gathering on the leg of a bench which had been cordoned off with police tape, reports StokeonTrentLive.
Andy, from Stafford, said: "I was just going out on my hour-long bike ride going through the town centre and I heard a lot of buzzing around the area.
"As I got closer I noticed a very large swarm of bees by the old M&S store. I then got the picture to let others know around the Stafford area."
Dozens of residents commented after the footage and photos were posted on the Stafford Town Awareness Group Facebook page.
While some were quite alarmed by the spectacle, others were keen to point out that the honey bees would move on in their own time.
One man said: "Bees temporarily mass like that whilst looking for a suitable place to nest. They tend to stay for an hour or two before moving on. It's nothing to be afraid of and a sight to behold."
And another added: "These are clearly honey bees and once they have found a place to relocate they will move on. They are highly unlikely to sting if left alone."
One woman shared her experience of coming up close to a swarm of bees.
She said: "I was in a swarm in the train station car park a few years ago - they landed eventually on the garage opposite.
"It was a bit hairy going to get my car with hundreds of bees flying about my head, but also 'wow'. They won't hurt you."
Swarming is the process by which a new colony is formed when the Queen bee leaves with a large group of worker bees.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Statement issued after Gabby Agbonlahor racially abused

Kick It Out have issued a statement decrying racial abuse received by Aston Villa hero Gabby Agbonlahor .
Agbonlahor , as well as Arsenal legend Ian Wright , have both received racist threats in the past few days directed to both themselves and their families .
Sign up to our Aston Villa newsletter here After receiving threats directed towards his Instagram account , Agbonlahor reported the matter - and publicised it , with the Facebook-owned app moving to temporarily lock Agbonlahor 's account yesterday to investigate the matter after the former Villa man called out the troll .
The abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue a statement on their Twitter feed .
`` We are appalled during this very trying time by the disgraceful abuse directed at Ian Wright and Gabriel Agbonlahor and their families , '' said Kick It Out .
`` Racial hate speech and violent threats are totally unacceptable , but have become sadly normalised on social media .
`` Whilst we continue to collaborate with social media platforms to ensure a safer user experience for all , these cases should be investigated by law enforcement and the abusers should face criminal sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preece talked to the retired player after the incident that Gabby described as `` the worst thing ever . ''
`` I get messages now and again but nothing like this , '' Agbonlahor told BirminghamLive .
`` Instagram have shut my account down all because I named and shamed the person responsible .
How can he get away with it ?
`` I do n't get it because they 've locked my account , perhaps the words in the message were that bad it 's been reported and taken down , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's the worst thing I 've ever been messaged .
It 's not on . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Ashley Preece, James Rushton)

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Kick It Out have issued a statement decrying racial abuse received by Aston Villa hero Gabby Agbonlahor.
Agbonlahor, as well as Arsenal legend Ian Wright, have both received racist threats in the past few days directed to both themselves and their families.
Sign up to our Aston Villa newsletter here
After receiving threats directed towards his Instagram account, Agbonlahor reported the matter - and publicised it, with the Facebook-owned app moving to temporarily lock Agbonlahor's account yesterday to investigate the matter after the former Villa man called out the troll.
The abuse led footballing equality campaigners Kick It Out to issue a statement on their Twitter feed.
"We are appalled during this very trying time by the disgraceful abuse directed at Ian Wright and Gabriel Agbonlahor and their families," said Kick It Out.
"Racial hate speech and violent threats are totally unacceptable, but have become sadly normalised on social media.
"Whilst we continue to collaborate with social media platforms to ensure a safer user experience for all, these cases should be investigated by law enforcement and the abusers should face criminal sanctions."
BirminghamLive's Villa writer Ashley Preece talked to the retired player after the incident that Gabby described as "the worst thing ever."
"I get messages now and again but nothing like this," Agbonlahor told BirminghamLive.
"Instagram have shut my account down all because I named and shamed the person responsible. How can he get away with it?
"I don't get it because they've locked my account, perhaps the words in the message were that bad it's been reported and taken down, I don't know."
"Honestly, it's the worst thing I've ever been messaged. It's not on."


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Alison Hammond tells Holly and Phil 'I love you' in emotional call

Alison Hammond has left voice notes on Phil Schofield and Holly Willoughby 's answer machines to tell them she `` loves them '' .
The Brummie TV personality , who shot to fame on Big Brother in the early-2000s , left silver-haired Schofe the voice note last night .
And she did the same with Holly , the This Morning presenter revealed on Tuesday 's instalment of the ITV1 daytime favourite .
Revealing Alison 's messages , Holly spoke to viewers and said she would play them her cute voice note - which concluded with a funny rap .
Alison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the ITV1 daytime programme , and yesterday flaunted her garden at her Birmingham home .
`` How you doing babes ?
I 've just rang Phil actually to tell him how much I love him , '' Alison says , after Holly plays the voice note .
She then adds : `` But then I thought 'oh God , what if he tells Holly tomorrow that I rang him to tell him I love him ? '
'' Alison admits she did n't want Holly to think badly of her or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so she adds : `` So I thought I 'd leave you a little voice note to say I love you too , alright ?
Alison then descends into a rap about the mum-of-three , branding the 39-year-old the type of girl who makes her `` dad proud . ''
Holly and Phil were seen giggling over Alison 's bizarre antics , with Twitter set alight after segment .
One branded Alison `` so funny '' , while a second social media user said she was `` TV gold . ''

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Alison Hammond has left voice notes on Phil Schofield and Holly Willoughby's answer machines to tell them she "loves them".
The Brummie TV personality, who shot to fame on Big Brother in the early-2000s, left silver-haired Schofe the voice note last night.
And she did the same with Holly, the This Morning presenter revealed on Tuesday's instalment of the ITV1 daytime favourite.
Revealing Alison's messages, Holly spoke to viewers and said she would play them her cute voice note - which concluded with a funny rap.
Alison is regularly seen on our screens as part of the ITV1 daytime programme, and yesterday flaunted her garden at her Birmingham home.
"How you doing babes? I've just rang Phil actually to tell him how much I love him," Alison says, after Holly plays the voice note.
She then adds: "But then I thought 'oh God, what if he tells Holly tomorrow that I rang him to tell him I love him?'"
Alison admits she didn't want Holly to think badly of her or have envy over Phil's voice note, so she adds: "So I thought I'd leave you a little voice note to say I love you too, alright?
"Don't get jel."
Alison then descends into a rap about the mum-of-three, branding the 39-year-old the type of girl who makes her "dad proud."
Holly and Phil were seen giggling over Alison's bizarre antics, with Twitter set alight after segment.
One branded Alison "so funny", while a second social media user said she was "TV gold."


birminghammail--2020-05-12--West Brom to rival Spurs in transfer chase for £30m rated Vedat Muriqi

West Bromwich Albion will make a heavy investment in their strikeforce should they achieve promotion to the Premier League .
Kosovan forward Vedat Muriqi , currently at Fenerbahce , is on the radar of West Brom boss Slaven Bilic , according to reports from Turkish newspaper Aksam , with the Baggies willing to offer £18m to secure his signature .
There is a long line of interest in the player - with Tottenham Hotspur expressing interest in Muriqi most recently , with Lazio and WBA 's West Midlands rivals Aston Villa keeping tabs .
Spurs ' interest was noted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kosovan football federation chief Agim Ademi “ Tottenham are insisting on signing Muriqi , '' Ademi said according to a translated report by Sport Witness .
`` But there are also other teams in Italy who are interested in him .
`` Tottenham were ready to pay whatever Fenerbahce wants , but since then , other Serie A clubs have entered the race , such as Napoli.
” A complete forward , Muriqi has been valued as high as £30m in the past , but no concrete offer has been placed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the first bag of cash on Fenerbahce 's table .
With Spurs aiming to back-up Harry Kane with a fairly similar striker , the price could be set to rise .
The forward has been praised as one of the best strikers in Turkey and would arrive at the Hawthorns as a clear first-choice option , having scored fifteen goals this season for Fenerbahce .

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West Bromwich Albion will make a heavy investment in their strikeforce should they achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Kosovan forward Vedat Muriqi, currently at Fenerbahce, is on the radar of West Brom boss Slaven Bilic, according to reports from Turkish newspaper Aksam, with the Baggies willing to offer £18m to secure his signature.
There is a long line of interest in the player - with Tottenham Hotspur expressing interest in Muriqi most recently, with Lazio and WBA's West Midlands rivals Aston Villa keeping tabs.
Spurs' interest was noted by a source close to the player - Kosovan football federation chief Agim Ademi
“Tottenham are insisting on signing Muriqi," Ademi said according to a translated report by Sport Witness.
"But there are also other teams in Italy who are interested in him.
"Tottenham were ready to pay whatever Fenerbahce wants, but since then, other Serie A clubs have entered the race, such as Napoli.”
A complete forward, Muriqi has been valued as high as £30m in the past, but no concrete offer has been placed on the table, with Bilic reportedly willing to put the first bag of cash on Fenerbahce's table. With Spurs aiming to back-up Harry Kane with a fairly similar striker, the price could be set to rise.
The forward has been praised as one of the best strikers in Turkey and would arrive at the Hawthorns as a clear first-choice option, having scored fifteen goals this season for Fenerbahce.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Gamble sees Who Wants to Be a Millionaire contestant lose £7k

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire viewers were on the edge of their seats as a contestant took a huge gamble - and lost £7,000 .
Gary Foster , an administrator from Stourbridge , walked away with just £1,000 after appearing on the hit ITV quiz show .
He was the first contestant to sit in the famous chair as the series returned to TV screens on Sunday , May 10 .
The 55-year-old sailed through the first few questions with ease - but things went drastically wrong when he reached the £16,000 milestone - as can be seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifelines in play , Gary declined an offer to use his 'safety net ' , which would have let him take a shot at the answer without the potential to lose thousands of pounds .
But that proved to be an expensive mistake as Gary was stumped when host Jeremy Clarkson asked him which other Steven Spielberg film was released in the same year as Schindler 's List .
He was presented with four options - Hook , Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade , Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan .
Gary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branded the outcome `` completely useless '' as it was too close to call .
He then opted to his 50/50 lifeline , which left him with two answers to choose from .
As he contemplated his decision , Gary said : `` I 'm trying to remember what year Schindler 's List was .
`` I remember seeing it but I just ca n't remember which year . ''
Although 29 per cent of the audience had gone with Jurassic Park , Gary decided to gamble and sided with the 16 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two lifelines left .
After being told it was the wrong answer , Gary was gracious in defeat as he claimed it was `` worth a gamble '' .
Clarkson also admitted that he would have made the same decision if he 'd have been asked .
Gary , who is a huge fan of the ITV quiz show admitted sitting in the famous chair was `` completely different '' to watching and playing along from home .
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire continues all week at 9pm on ITV .

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Who Wants to Be a Millionaire viewers were on the edge of their seats as a contestant took a huge gamble - and lost £7,000.
Gary Foster, an administrator from Stourbridge, walked away with just £1,000 after appearing on the hit ITV quiz show.
He was the first contestant to sit in the famous chair as the series returned to TV screens on Sunday, May 10.
The 55-year-old sailed through the first few questions with ease - but things went drastically wrong when he reached the £16,000 milestone - as can be seen in the video above .
With all four lifelines in play, Gary declined an offer to use his 'safety net', which would have let him take a shot at the answer without the potential to lose thousands of pounds.
But that proved to be an expensive mistake as Gary was stumped when host Jeremy Clarkson asked him which other Steven Spielberg film was released in the same year as Schindler's List.
He was presented with four options - Hook, Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade, Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan.
(Image: ITV)
Gary decided to ask the audience but Clarkson branded the outcome "completely useless" as it was too close to call. He then opted to his 50/50 lifeline, which left him with two answers to choose from.
As he contemplated his decision, Gary said: "I'm trying to remember what year Schindler's List was.
"I remember seeing it but I just can't remember which year."
Although 29 per cent of the audience had gone with Jurassic Park, Gary decided to gamble and sided with the 16 per cent that chose Hook - despite having two lifelines left.
(Image: ITV)
After being told it was the wrong answer, Gary was gracious in defeat as he claimed it was "worth a gamble".
Clarkson also admitted that he would have made the same decision if he'd have been asked.
Gary, who is a huge fan of the ITV quiz show admitted sitting in the famous chair was "completely different" to watching and playing along from home.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire continues all week at 9pm on ITV.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Owner reveals Premier League's 'best solution' & it involves Albion

The owner of a Premier League club believes a 22-team league should be formed , including Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion .
The Premier League and its members held their latest summit yesterday where all the talk was about restarting the season .
And the Government has given them the green light with Boris Johnson setting out plans for elite sport to return behind closed doors from June 1 .
West Brom and Leeds United are watching matters intently from the Championship with both clubs on course to win promotion back to the Premier League .
And this owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his interview with Sky Sports , believes there is a '40 per cent ' chance the campaign will be cancelled and hopes the league will be expanded .
`` Nobody knows how to settle things if we do n't play again , '' he said .
`` I still believe no relegation would be the best solution and we can go with having a 22-team league for one season with Leeds and West Brom coming up .
`` Whatever happens relegated teams would sue , that 's why I favour no relegation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albion newsletter HERE But the idea of relegation being taken off the table to appease clubs at the bottom has been shot down by the Premier League 's CEO Richard Masters .
While the Premier League fully intends to finish its season , they have now discussed curtailing the season for the first time .
If that 's the case a points-per-game system is expected to hand Liverpool the title , sort out the European places and relegate three clubs .

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The owner of a Premier League club believes a 22-team league should be formed, including Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion.
The Premier League and its members held their latest summit yesterday where all the talk was about restarting the season.
And the Government has given them the green light with Boris Johnson setting out plans for elite sport to return behind closed doors from June 1.
West Brom and Leeds United are watching matters intently from the Championship with both clubs on course to win promotion back to the Premier League.
And this owner, who asked to remain anonymous during his interview with Sky Sports, believes there is a '40 per cent' chance the campaign will be cancelled and hopes the league will be expanded.
"Nobody knows how to settle things if we don't play again," he said. "I still believe no relegation would be the best solution and we can go with having a 22-team league for one season with Leeds and West Brom coming up.
"Whatever happens relegated teams would sue, that's why I favour no relegation."
Sign up to our daily Albion newsletter HERE
But the idea of relegation being taken off the table to appease clubs at the bottom has been shot down by the Premier League's CEO Richard Masters.
While the Premier League fully intends to finish its season, they have now discussed curtailing the season for the first time. If that's the case a points-per-game system is expected to hand Liverpool the title, sort out the European places and relegate three clubs.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--How classrooms could look completely different when they reopen

Solihull schools are set for sweeping changes designed to protect pupils and staff from Covid-19 , under plans for reopening currently being developed .
Since March sites have only been open for the children of key workers , but it has now been announced that a phased reopening to other primary pupils could begin next month .
The council 's education chief has confirmed that officers have already been holding discussions with headteachers about managing the risks and said classrooms were set to work in a very different way compared to before the pandemic .
Spacing children out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas and managing when staff are forced to isolate are among the issues that will have to be juggled .
Government guidelines , issued yesterday ( Monday ) , have since confirmed plans to limit class sizes to 15 and stagger break and drop off/pick up times .
Although one opposition councillor said many parents and educators remained `` very concerned . ''
Cllr Ken Meeson , the cabinet member for children , education and skills , said there was a lot of work to do but insisted safety was paramount .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example how many children can we have in classrooms to keep distance ?
`` Nobody is going to take risks with the health of the children or staff . ''
His comments came after the Prime Minister set out plans which could initially see reception , Year 1 and Year 6 pupils start to return in greater numbers .
The proposals , part of a phased approach to easing the lockdown , would start - at the earliest - from June 1 and Boris Johnson said they would depend on public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was safe .
However , Cllr Laura McCarthy , who shadows the education brief for Solihull 's Lib Dem group , this week said it was imperative that five key tests - as set out by teaching unions - had also been met before plans are put into motion .
`` Young children do not understand social distancing and will need toileting help and comforting if upset , '' said the mum-of-two .
`` It is crucial that educators and parents are confident that reopening schools is safe for both children and school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those involved or their families .
`` Education unions have asked the government for evidence that their five tests for the safe reopening of schools have been met but say that as yet they haven ’ t had any communication from the Department for Education .
`` We all want life to return to normal as soon as possible , but we need to ensure that this is done safely .
Families and educators are worried about what this next step will mean for them , and we need to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meeson confirmed that academies - which sit outside of local authority control and have considerable autonomy - were part of the ongoing discussions .
`` We are fortunate in Solihull in that all of our academies do remain part of the family of schools . ''
He accepted , however , that once greater numbers of pupils began to return different measures may be needed at different locations , depending on their size .
Although much would depend on further government advice .
`` If you have got a large secondary school - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - that 's going to be pretty challenging is n't it ? ''
It has been suggested that some secondary pupils who have exams scheduled for next year - those currently in Years 10 and 12 - could have some time in the classroom before the summer holidays .
Although it is possible the majority of senior school students will not return until September .
In a statement which followed the Prime Minister 's address , a Solihull Council spokesman said : `` The council expects to receive detailed guidance from the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enable it to plan with Solihull ’ s schools and educational settings for this phased reopening .
`` More details will be shared with parents and pupils over the coming weeks . ''
Updates are expected via the council 's official social media channels , as well as those of individual schools .

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Solihull schools are set for sweeping changes designed to protect pupils and staff from Covid-19, under plans for reopening currently being developed.
Since March sites have only been open for the children of key workers, but it has now been announced that a phased reopening to other primary pupils could begin next month.
The council's education chief has confirmed that officers have already been holding discussions with headteachers about managing the risks and said classrooms were set to work in a very different way compared to before the pandemic.
Spacing children out in the canteen, splitting them between different teaching areas and managing when staff are forced to isolate are among the issues that will have to be juggled.
Government guidelines, issued yesterday (Monday), have since confirmed plans to limit class sizes to 15 and stagger break and drop off/pick up times.
Although one opposition councillor said many parents and educators remained "very concerned."
Cllr Ken Meeson, the cabinet member for children, education and skills, said there was a lot of work to do but insisted safety was paramount.
"There are many facets to this ... for example how many children can we have in classrooms to keep distance?
"Nobody is going to take risks with the health of the children or staff."
His comments came after the Prime Minister set out plans which could initially see reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils start to return in greater numbers.
The proposals, part of a phased approach to easing the lockdown, would start - at the earliest - from June 1 and Boris Johnson said they would depend on public health advice and if government was satisfied it was safe.
However, Cllr Laura McCarthy, who shadows the education brief for Solihull's Lib Dem group, this week said it was imperative that five key tests - as set out by teaching unions - had also been met before plans are put into motion.
"Young children do not understand social distancing and will need toileting help and comforting if upset," said the mum-of-two.
"It is crucial that educators and parents are confident that reopening schools is safe for both children and school staff and will not risk the health of those involved or their families.
"Education unions have asked the government for evidence that their five tests for the safe reopening of schools have been met but say that as yet they haven’t had any communication from the Department for Education.
"We all want life to return to normal as soon as possible, but we need to ensure that this is done safely. Families and educators are worried about what this next step will mean for them, and we need to ensure that they are fully supported."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Cllr Meeson confirmed that academies - which sit outside of local authority control and have considerable autonomy - were part of the ongoing discussions.
"We are fortunate in Solihull in that all of our academies do remain part of the family of schools."
He accepted, however, that once greater numbers of pupils began to return different measures may be needed at different locations, depending on their size. Although much would depend on further government advice.
What the unions say: Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “The Prime Minister’s statement that it would be “madness” to risk a second spike in transmission of the Coronavirus highlights the need for extreme caution. “Regrettably, the Prime Minister’s announcement about the planned reopening of schools from 1 June has provoked confusion and anxiety and does not address the genuine concerns that have been raised by teachers. “The Prime Minister’s announcement lacks the clarity of statements issued by Ministers in Scotland and Wales who have reaffirmed the key ‘stay at home’ message. “The information from government so far has done little to assuage teachers’ concerns about the premature reopening of schools. “Unless and until the Government can demonstrate that schools will be safe for staff and children, all schools should continue to limit their opening only to vulnerable children and to children of key workers."
"If you have got a large secondary school - a very large academy of 1,500 pupils - that's going to be pretty challenging isn't it?"
It has been suggested that some secondary pupils who have exams scheduled for next year - those currently in Years 10 and 12 - could have some time in the classroom before the summer holidays.
Although it is possible the majority of senior school students will not return until September.
In a statement which followed the Prime Minister's address, a Solihull Council spokesman said: "The council expects to receive detailed guidance from the Department for Education over the coming days to enable it to plan with Solihull’s schools and educational settings for this phased reopening.
"More details will be shared with parents and pupils over the coming weeks."
Updates are expected via the council's official social media channels, as well as those of individual schools.


birminghammail--2020-05-12--Police urge everyone to stay off public transport despite easing of lockdown

British Transport Police has warned EVERYBODY to avoid public transport despite the easing of lockdown measures .
In a muddled speech on Sunday evening , Prime Minister Boris Johnson told people to return to work - but `` stay alert '' - if they could not stay at home .
The PM made his speech on Sunday evening and followed it up by saying workers should avoid public transport to get to their workplaces .
He urged people to drive , cycle , and walk to work where possible , causing BTP to now issue a statement over the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 50-page document published by the government on Monday .
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said : “ The message is clear – everyone should avoid public transport if at all possible .
“ Our officers are out and about across the rail network , focusing their time at stations where they are most needed .
At some of the busier stations you may see more officers than usual .
They ’ re there to help keep passengers and rail staff safe – helping get people to where they need to be safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to travel by rail or Tube , then don ’ t - and if you do need to , give yourself plenty of time .
Perhaps speak to your employer and stagger the times you would normally go to and from work and avoid rush hours where possible .
We all have a role to play in keeping the rail network safe .
“ Our policing approach remains the same .
Our officers will be engaging with passengers and staff and will only use enforcement if absolutely necessary .
“ No-one should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rail industry and its staff as it works to keep people who need to use the network moving .
They ’ re taking extra steps to ensure people stay safe including aiding social distancing and keeping overcrowding to a minimum .
These steps mean everyone is going to have to get used to a new way of travelling .
“ In line with government guidance , you may see our officers wearing face coverings when on routine patrol .
They ’ ll be wearing them when they themselves feel it is necessary – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing is not always possible .
“ We will of course also continue with our business-as-usual policing during this unprecedented time – countering terrorism ; reducing delays and disruption ; preventing and detecting crime and identifying and helping vulnerable people in crisis .
“ And we will continue to conduct operations – such as County Lines – to tackle organised crime , catch offenders and bring people to justice .
“ All of us – passengers , rail staff and our officers – want to be safe when we ’ re working and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support each other so we can all do the right thing .
The responsibility to keep everyone safe is one everyone shares .
”

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British Transport Police has warned EVERYBODY to avoid public transport despite the easing of lockdown measures.
In a muddled speech on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told people to return to work - but "stay alert" - if they could not stay at home.
The PM made his speech on Sunday evening and followed it up by saying workers should avoid public transport to get to their workplaces.
He urged people to drive, cycle, and walk to work where possible, causing BTP to now issue a statement over the lockdown measures.
The restrictions were outlined in a 50-page document published by the government on Monday.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: “The message is clear – everyone should avoid public transport if at all possible.
“Our officers are out and about across the rail network, focusing their time at stations where they are most needed. At some of the busier stations you may see more officers than usual. They’re there to help keep passengers and rail staff safe – helping get people to where they need to be safely.
“If you don’t need to travel by rail or Tube, then don’t - and if you do need to, give yourself plenty of time. Perhaps speak to your employer and stagger the times you would normally go to and from work and avoid rush hours where possible. We all have a role to play in keeping the rail network safe.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Our policing approach remains the same. Our officers will be engaging with passengers and staff and will only use enforcement if absolutely necessary.
“No-one should underestimate the immense logistical challenge facing the rail industry and its staff as it works to keep people who need to use the network moving. They’re taking extra steps to ensure people stay safe including aiding social distancing and keeping overcrowding to a minimum. These steps mean everyone is going to have to get used to a new way of travelling.
“In line with government guidance, you may see our officers wearing face coverings when on routine patrol. They’ll be wearing them when they themselves feel it is necessary – for example in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible.
“We will of course also continue with our business-as-usual policing during this unprecedented time – countering terrorism; reducing delays and disruption; preventing and detecting crime and identifying and helping vulnerable people in crisis.
“And we will continue to conduct operations – such as County Lines – to tackle organised crime, catch offenders and bring people to justice.
“All of us – passengers, rail staff and our officers – want to be safe when we’re working and using the rail network and we need to support each other so we can all do the right thing. The responsibility to keep everyone safe is one everyone shares.”