Dangerous dogs on the loose
Plus, latest on library closures
Good morning Patchers — here is your Friday briefing.
A reminder that we won’t be publishing a Monday briefing next week. To everyone who gets Monday off work, enjoy the bank holiday! To anyone working in hospitality, we hope you are getting paid overtime and that your punters behave themselves.
“Thank you for providing quality journalism, on the important issues of the day.” — Dispatch member.
Brum in brief
🚨Dog hunt: Police are on the hunt for two dogs who may have been involved in the death of a 33 year-old-man, who was found in the garden of a home in Rubery. Police say they were called to the property to reports of a number of dogs on the loose and believe at least one of them may have contributed to his death. They have seized two dogs but two more are missing. West Midlands Police said it thinks the dogs are American Bulldog-types rather than a banned breed. Inspector Leanne Chapman said: “We really need to hear from anyone who has seen these dogs and it’s vital that if you see them, you don’t approach them but call 999 immediately.”
🚑Super hospital set to open: Smethwick’s new ‘super hospital’, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is set to open on 6 October as planned. The Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust met on Wednesday to consider whether it was safe to open the major new healthcare centre which has twice been delayed. It will provide emergency, maternity, children’s, and adult acute inpatient services for a population of over half a million. Trust Chairman Sir David Nicholson said it was “a key moment for our patients, people, and population”.
📖New library consultation: 10 libraries are likely to remain open full-time as ‘community hubs’ as part of £2.3m budget cuts. 14 will open part-time only and four will close, to be ‘co-located’ in another part of the community. Another seven could remain open if community organisations can staff and fund them but will close if not and the council also wants to invest in a second ‘mobile library’ to visit affected areas. These are recommendations set out in a new consultation that is now live. Read more on Birmingham Live.
🍻Cheers! It’s time for another beer festival! This time in Stourbridge. The re-opened Wollaston Village Hall will be playing host to the event featuring 10 real ales, gin, prossecco and live music from Friday-Monday. Entry is free throughout. More info here.
Irish knees up: Head to the New Irish Centre for the UK’s biggest Irish Music Festival this Saturday and Sunday. Headlining Páirc Festival are Riverdance and Bob Geldof alongside Frances Black, Mary Coughlan Trio and many more. Tickets from £60.50 with concessions available. Book here.