Linda Aitchison

Campaigners fighting to save Corbett Meadows from redevelopment into a site for new homes have called a public meeting. Instead of 90 new homes on the 14-acre site, the Corbett Meadows Action Group says a better use for the land is an eco-friendly health and wellbeing centre. Plans to consult the wider Stourbridge community are now under way from the Corbett Meadows Action Group, backed by the Stourbridge Community Development Trust who describe the initiative as ‘world-beating.’  The centre would lead on green prescribing – helping people to get outside to improve mental health at the site behind Corbett Outpatients […]

An award-winning Stourbridge businesswoman revealed her new range of perfumes in a glamorous launch night that also saw £300 raised for a charity supporting families affected by murder and terrorism. Smile for Joel founder Suzy Evans was a guest at the Levant Perfume event at Telford’s Holiday Inn which included tasty treats from Dubai, a string trio, a belly dancing performance and a chance to sample some of the new products. The launch was organised by Lisa Davis of Levant Perfume,  who said that as her love for travel inspired her perfume range and Suzy continues to campaign for tourists’

 A businesswoman who fell in love with the aromas of Dubai on holiday is captivating clients closer to home – with her nose for a new venture clinching her international acclaim. Lisa Davis of Levant Perfume has scooped an award in her favourite UAE destination after a recent return visit to secure more business as she prepares for her UK launch.   Lisa, 52, of Stourbridge,  who first visited Dubai seven years ago, has clinched a Khatoon Successful Woman title after crafting seven distinctive fragrances in her Levant range. The award is reserved for entrepreneurial women in Dubai who impress its organisers

A dog lover is all set for global sales after innovating a range of sustainable dog poo bags that dissolve in water. The idea for what George Greer calls a ‘revolutionary’ new environmentally-friendly product came after walking his beloved four-year-old Swiss Shepherd, Noah. What should have been an enjoyable stroll turned into a rubbish-strewn obstacle course as they visited Loch Long in Argyll and Bute. “There was this awful scene of plastic bags and debris all along the shoreline,” said George, a former payments network director who quit his job to invest his time in his ambitious new venture Project Harmless https://projectharmless.com/ in lockdown last year.

Students, staff and work placement providers have all been recognised for outstanding efforts at an awards ceremony in Wolverhampton. Organisers of the 11th Wolverhampton University Students’ Union Awards received a record 250 nominations for people and organisations who went above and beyond.  The awards recognised placement providers for the first time this year, to honour employers which offer students vital work experience opportunities. Rapid Response Team – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust won Placement Provider of the Year.  Claire Watkins, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, who has been responsible for overseeing placements for five years, said she was overwhelmed by the award. “This is amazingly rewarding,”

A former Midlands executive assistant who took voluntary redundancy is now helping hundreds of key business support staff overcome feeling ‘invisible and alone.’  Skevi Constantinou is the founder of worldwide support group, The PA Way, dubbed the ‘Assistanthood’ by its members.  Bringing opportunities to grow in confidence, gain exciting promotions, make more money and find life-long friends, The PA Way is now a multi-award-winning platform and is gaining acclaim from around the globe.  Skevi, who was once told she didn’t deserve a promotion because ‘she would die soon anyway’ due to an incurable underlying autoimmune condition, said too many assistants needed support from

Hundreds of food items and donations of £200 have been handed over to the Black Country Foodbank after live music fans enjoyed the return of a much-loved music festival in a day. Representatives from the foodbank branch at Our Lady and All Saints Catholic Church in New Road, Stourbridge, have thanked Eddy Morton and Trina Keane, owners at nearby Katie Fitzgerald’s for the contributions during its 18th Katiesfest on Sunday, May 22.   Eddy and Trina had already raised hundreds of pounds for the foodbank and are also providing confidential monetary support for two families in crisis, hit by rocketing fuel bills.

An eco-friendly health and wellbeing centre could take pride of place on ancient meadowland in Amblecote earmarked for housing, if campaigners fighting to save the space get their way.  Plans to consult the wider Stourbridge community are now under way from the Corbett Meadow Action Group, backed by the Stourbridge Community Development Trust who describe the initiative as ‘world-beating’. They have commissioned local artist David Johnson to produce a painting of the ground-breaking facility to illustrate a future scene with a health and wellbeing pavilion built on site. Activists’ proposals also include an ‘outdoor environmental classroom’ which will make use

A much-loved Wolverhampton independent luxury home improvement company has celebrated 40 years of success in style. The Dayrooms of Tettenhall team toasted a major refurbishment and expansion with invited guests. Director James Lloyd said the company’s leading reputation in designing, supplying and fitting high-end kitchens meant they maintained a full order book even in the darkest days of the Covid-19 emergency. “We needed to celebrate not only how far Dayrooms has come in 40 years but also our recent resilience and vision and our exciting plans for the future. “It was a fabulous event and we welcomed guests throughout the

 A day of music at a popular Stourbridge venue comes of age next weekend as it returns live and raises money for Black Country Foodbank.  This is the 18th Katiesfest. The last two years have seen an online version of the day-long festival at Katie Fitzgerald’s — but the event on Sunday, May 22, event sees it back in person.  It comes as the Enville Street former pub’s owners, Eddy Morton and Trina Keane, have already raised hundreds of pounds for the foodbank and are also providing confidential monetary support for two families in crisis, hit by rocketing fuel bills.  Twelve