Category: News

More than 100 families came together at The New Art Gallery Walsall for this year’s BabyFest, with parents and carers able to access activities, practical advice and support from local organisations.

The free event, organised by Walsall Council’s Family Hubs team, took place on Tuesday 4 August as part of the borough’s programme of activities for World Breastfeeding Week.

Designed to support families from pregnancy through the early years and beyond, BabyFest combined expert guidance with activities for babies and young children.

Visitors could take part in sensory sessions delivered by Baby & Us, enjoy The Tiger Who Came to Tea-inspired arts and crafts and explore a range of interactive play activities. An Introduction to Solids session was also available, while every child attending the event received a free book to take home.

More than 15 local organisations were represented throughout the day, giving families the chance to speak directly with professionals from health, council and voluntary sector services.

Advice and information covered areas including infant feeding, vaccinations, child development, family wellbeing and activities available within the community.

Feedback from parents attending the event was positive, with one saying, “I had a lovely morning. There were lots of opportunities to speak to helpful professionals.”

Another parent commented, “It was excellent, a great support network. There was a variety of fun activities to keep children entertained, and lots of freebies!”

“Supporting families with infant feeding is about much more than nutrition. It’s about creating a strong support network that gives parents and carers the confidence, knowledge and reassurance they need during the early stages of their child’s life.

BabyFest is a fantastic example of organisations across Walsall working together to give parents and carers everything they need to give children the best possible start in life, especially from those early days. It was wonderful to see so many parents, carers and children enjoying the activities, accessing expert advice and meeting others at similar stages of their parenting journey.

There is a wealth of support available through our Family Hubs and partner organisations, and I would encourage families to explore the services on offer and get involved.”

Councillor Lisa Jones, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Skills at Walsall Council

Breastfeeding can present a range of challenges for parents, with national research identifying common concerns such as difficulties with latching, milk supply, discomfort and engorgement.

The event formed part of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from 1 to 7 August 2026 and aims to highlight the importance of effective breastfeeding support while raising awareness of the help available to families.

Support continues across Walsall’s four Family Hubs, where breastfeeding peer groups are taking place throughout the week.

Families can also make use of the Walsall Welcomes Breastfeeding Scheme, which has grown to include more than 60 breastfeeding-friendly venues across the borough.

Information about infant feeding, local support groups and participating breastfeeding-friendly venues is available through the Walsall Family Hubs website.

Walsall’s library network is set to benefit from a £170,000 investment after securing support through the Libraries Improvement Fund. The funding will help deliver refurbishment works, facility upgrades, and new technology across libraries in the borough.

The investment is designed to modernise library spaces and ensure services continue to meet the evolving needs of local residents. Planned improvements include enhancements to existing buildings and the introduction of technology aimed at making services more accessible and user-friendly.

Walsall was one of four library services in the West Midlands to receive funding through the Government’s £19.7 million Arts Everywhere Fund, which supports greater access to arts and culture in communities across the UK.

Delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the programme includes the Libraries Improvement Fund, helping services modernise facilities and respond to changing community needs.

“Libraries are more than buildings with books in, libraries are about people, ideas and opportunity. The Libraries Improvement Fund helps libraries to flourish as safe, trusted spaces for their communities.

We’re pleased to be supporting Walsall Council with £170,000 to improve the flexibility of their existing space and introduce new technology to engage with community feedback, strengthening their offer for many years to come.”

— Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England

The funding will be shared across Walsall’s seven community libraries: Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Lichfield Street Hub (Central Library & Archives), Streetly, and Willenhall.

A key part of the programme will focus on Darlaston Library, where the first floor will be redeveloped into a more flexible space capable of hosting a wider range of community-led activities.

Across all seven sites, multilingual customer satisfaction kiosks and portable feedback devices will also be introduced to help gather resident feedback and shape future service improvements.

The upgrades are expected to strengthen Walsall’s library offering, ensuring welcoming, accessible spaces that remain fit for purpose in the years ahead.

Residents are being invited to enjoy a day of nature, community, and gardening inspiration at Walsall Arboretum, as the Friends of Walsall Arboretum host their annual plant sale alongside an open day at the Woodland Wildlife Garden.

The event, organised by the Walsall Arboretum User Group, will take place in the Woodland Wildlife Garden area, offering visitors the chance to explore one of the park’s most peaceful and biodiverse spaces while browsing a wide range of plants.

Taking place between 1.30pm and 4pm, the popular plant sale will feature a variety of garden and house plants, many of which have been grown locally by volunteers. Organisers say visitors can expect “bargains on plants you might never find in garden centres,” with stock sourced from the woodland garden itself as well as volunteers’ own gardens.

The Woodland Wildlife Garden, which is cared for by the volunteer group, will also be open to visitors, providing an opportunity to see first-hand the work carried out to support local biodiversity. The garden forms part of the group’s wider efforts to maintain and enhance the arboretum’s natural spaces, including orchards and wildlife areas.

In addition to plant sales, visitors can take part in a raffle, with the draw scheduled for 3.30pm.

The Friends of Walsall Arboretum play an important role in supporting the historic park, which dates back to the 19th century and remains one of the borough’s most valued green spaces. The group regularly organises events, maintains key areas of the arboretum, and encourages people of all ages to get involved.

All proceeds from the plant sale go directly back into the arboretum, helping to fund planting, maintenance, and future community activities. Don’t forget to bring some cash as card payments will not be available!

The group also welcomes new members and volunteers, with opportunities to get involved in gardening, conservation, and community events throughout the year.

Anyone interested in supporting the group or finding out more can visit the Friends of Walsall Arboretum Facebook page or contact the organisers directly at walsallarboretumusergroup@gmail.com.

Residents and volunteers across Walsall have helped deliver a record-breaking Great British Spring Clean, removing almost 2,000 bags of litter from streets, parks and public spaces across the borough.

This year’s campaign, organised nationally by Keep Britain Tidy, saw 661 volunteers take part in 48 organised clean-up events throughout Walsall.

Together, participants collected 1,983 bags of litter and donated 1,103 hours of their time. Around 12 tonnes of waste was removed during the campaign — roughly the same weight as two adult elephants.

Young People Lead the Way

Young people played a major role in the success of the initiative, with 327 children from 11 schools joining activities and helping to improve their local neighbourhoods.

The campaign also attracted a mix of experienced volunteers and first-time participants, including local charities, faith groups and community hubs, highlighting growing community pride across the borough.

Partners Support Borough-Wide Effort

A number of organisations backed the campaign, helping to expand its reach and impact. Support came from:

• Sandwell Litter Watch
• Canal & River Trust
• whg

“This year’s Great British Spring Clean has once again shown the strength of community spirit across Walsall.

The scale of what has been achieved is significant, and we are grateful to everyone who took part and supported the campaign.”

A spokesperson for Walsall Council

Get Involved All Year Round

Following the success of the spring clean, Walsall Council is encouraging more residents to take part in community litter picking throughout the year.

Equipment including hi-vis jackets, litter pickers, gloves and bags can be provided for volunteers wanting to make a difference in their area.

A Walsall primary school is celebrating after inspectors recognised the high standards being delivered across the academy, with pupils praised for achieving at an exceptional level.

Reedswood E-ACT Primary Academy received glowing feedback following an Ofsted inspection carried out in January 2026, with the school described as both caring and highly ambitious for its children.

Using Ofsted’s updated inspection framework, inspectors rated three areas as exceptional, while the remaining categories were judged to be strong.

Inspection Results

Exceptional

• Achievement
• Leadership and governance
• Personal development and wellbeing

Strong

• Attendance and behaviour
• Curriculum and teaching
• Early years provision
• Inclusion

The report found that pupils learn in an environment where they feel secure, respected and encouraged to succeed. Inspectors highlighted the school’s culture of high expectations, where staff motivate children to believe in their own potential.

A particular strength identified was the academy’s early focus on communication and language. Inspectors noted that many pupils join the school speaking little or no English, yet quickly gain confidence, develop strong speaking skills and make rapid academic progress.

By the time they leave, children were found to be well equipped for the next stage of education, with strong results and ambitious aspirations for the future.

“We are incredibly proud of our recent Ofsted report, which truly celebrates all that we stand for at Reedswood. This recognition reflects the dedication, passion and teamwork of our staff, the enthusiasm and achievements of our wonderful children, and the unwavering support of our families and wider community. To receive exceptional gradings in achievement, leadership and governance, and personal development is a testament to the relentless commitment we share to ensuring every child thrives. Our school is built on ambition, care and high expectations, and this report shows the impact of our shared drive to Inspire to Achieve every single day.”

Maxine Lathbury-Cox, Headteacher

Walsall Council also praised the academy’s achievement and the wider impact it is having on young people.

“ A huge congratulations to everyone at Reedswood Primary Academy for this brilliant achievement. It’s great to read about their remarkable progress both in terms of attainment, but also on a personal level in terms of personal development and wellbeing.

We want all our children and young people to learn skills for life at school, so they are hopeful and excited for the future and a big well done to the Reedswood team for a fantastic report which sets out how well they are supporting the next generation to thrive. “

Sharon Kelly, Director for Lifelong Learning, Walsall Council

The full report can be viewed through Ofsted.

A brand-new photography festival is set to arrive in Walsall this spring, as FotoFest 2026 prepares to welcome creatives, industry leaders and enthusiasts for a two-day celebration of visual storytelling.

Taking place across the weekend of 9–10 May 2026, the event will transform key town centre venues into a hub of creativity. The main Visual Expo will be held on Saturday at The Crossing at St Paul’s, with Sunday dedicated to portfolio reviews and additional exhibitions hosted at The New Art Gallery Walsall.

The festival promises a varied and engaging programme, combining exhibitions, live demonstrations, talks and hands-on workshops. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the latest developments in photography and imaging technology, with major brands such as Fujifilm and Sigma showcasing new equipment and innovations. Industry retailer The Flash Centre will also be on hand, offering expert insight and guidance.

A strong line-up of speakers will feature throughout the weekend, including respected photographers Dr Pogus Caesar, Rachell Smith and Tina Eisen, who will share their perspectives on creativity, practice and storytelling. Contributions from organisations such as the Royal Photographic Society, Urban Hax and the UK Black Female Photographers Community will further enrich the programme, alongside a range of creative practitioners working across the sector.

As part of the weekend, a special evening event—FotoSocial—will take place on Saturday at The Table Café. Running from 6pm to 9pm, the gathering will celebrate the opening of an exhibition by photographer Sharon Hepburn, while providing a relaxed setting for networking and conversation.

Photography exhibitions will also be on display at The New Art Gallery Walsall throughout the festival, showcasing work from leading contemporary photographers as part of the wider programme.

Tickets for the Visual Expo are now available, with strong interest expected as the event approaches.

To secure tickets and explore the full programme, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fotofest-visual-expo-tickets-1986522223446

Updates and announcements can be followed on Instagram at @FotoFestWalsall.

Thousands of families across Walsall are finding out where their children will begin their school journey, as primary school offer day confirms places for September 2026.

A total of 3,368 on-time applications were received by Walsall Council ahead of the January deadline, with every child successfully offered a school place.

The latest figures show that 3,311 children (98.3%) have secured a place at one of their top three preferred schools. This includes 3,162 children (93.9%) offered their first-choice school, 131 children (3.9%) their second preference, and 18 children (0.5%) their third.

Sharon Kelly, Director for Lifelong Learning at Walsall Council, said:

“ This is a big day for families across Walsall, and we’re delighted that over 98% of children have received an offer at a school they chose. Encouraging parents and carers to apply on time and use all three preferences makes a real difference, and it’s been great to see families engaging with this.

We couldn’t do this without the continued support from our primary schools for their dedication, partnership and commitment to our youngest learners. And to every child starting Reception in September 2026, I wish you a very happy, confident and exciting start to your school journey. “

Of the 57 children (1.7%) who were not offered any of their preferred schools, the majority—44 applicants—had listed only one preference. The council continues to strongly encourage families to use all three available choices and to research schools carefully before submitting applications.

Parents and carers can view their child’s allocation by logging into the council’s admissions portal:
https://go.walsall.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions

Confirmation emails are also being issued to all applicants who applied on time.

The admissions process remains fully online, allowing families to access their results quickly and efficiently on offer day. Figures published reflect a snapshot at the time of allocation and may change as the admissions process progresses.

A taxi enforcement operation in Brownhills has led to several vehicles being taken off the road after safety concerns were uncovered.

The checks were carried out on Friday 28 March by Walsall Council’s Licensing Services, working alongside West Midlands Police, Community Protection Officers and specialist vehicle examiners.

In total, 12 licensed vehicles were stopped and inspected during the operation. Half of those were found to have issues serious enough to result in immediate suspension. Three of the vehicles were also issued with prohibition notices, meaning they cannot be driven until the faults are fully repaired.

Inspectors identified a range of problems, with tyre safety among the most common concerns. Defects included worn tyres, visible damage and, in some cases, exposed threads.

Vehicles that are suspended must be removed from service straight away and cannot return to licensed work until repairs have been completed and approved. Prohibition notices go a step further, making it illegal for the vehicle to be driven at all until it meets safety standards.

A spokesperson for Walsall Council said, “We will continue to work closely with the trade to reinforce expectations and responsibilities, and further operations are planned to ensure standards are consistently met.”

The council says joint enforcement activity like this plays an important role in keeping passengers safe, supporting responsible drivers and maintaining trust in local taxi services.

Further checks are expected to take place across the borough in the coming months as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety standards.

Five people have been fined after being taken to court for littering offences in Walsall, as the council continues its crackdown on environmental crime.

The cases were heard at Birmingham & Solihull Magistrates’ Court on 18 March 2026, where the individuals were ordered to pay a combined total of £1,539. The latest prosecutions follow similar action in February, when four offenders were fined more than £2,000 in total.

The offences took place at locations across the borough, including Darlaston, Pelsall, Willenhall and Reedswood Way.

Among those convicted was Zabar Hussain, from Stafford Street, Walsall, who was found guilty of dropping litter in Bill Street, Darlaston, on 23 August 2025. He was ordered to pay £393, including a fine, surcharge and costs.

Tia-Rose Gleeson, of Alder Meadow Close, Coventry, and Abby Hodgkiss, of Parker Road, Wolverhampton, were both fined £393 after separate incidents of littering in High Street, Pelsall, in August and September 2025.

Courtney Bullock, from Oval Way, Walsall, was fined £219 after admitting to dropping litter in Park Road, Willenhall, on 19 September 2025.

Sade Annick Woolery, of Stourbridge Road, Dudley, was ordered to pay £141 after pleading guilty to a littering offence in Reedswood Way on 24 August 2025.

A spokesperson for Walsall Council said, “Littering is unacceptable and can result in significant fines or cases being escalated to court.

“Revenue from fines goes back into enforcement activity, including investigations and action to tackle environmental crime across the borough.”

Residents are being reminded that waste can be disposed of responsibly at Walsall’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, or through the council’s bulky item collection service.

Anyone wishing to report fly-tipping can do so online via the council’s website or by calling 01922 653355.