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News, News Titles

The search to honour our great community heroes has begun

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25th April 2019

- News, News Titles

Do you know a special person in Shropshire who goes beyond the call of duty to help others? The Shropshire Star thinks they deserve a special thank you. A Great Big Thank You.


Today we launch our search for the special people who make Shropshire and Mid Wales such a wonderful place to live. And we’re looking for your help.


We are on the hunt for people who selflessly give up their time for the good of others, so we can give them the recognition they deserve but don’t always get.


We want to honour the unsung heroes of Shropshire and Mid Wales by holding a memorable awards ceremony for them to show them how much they are valued.


The Shropshire Star, working with our sponsor partners, will shine a spotlight on the people and organisations that bind our community together.


We want to hear all about the volunteers, the good neighbours, the helping hands and those who step up when they are needed – the people who make a positive difference to where you live and work.


It could be a member of your family, a work colleague, a community volunteer, someone who helps a local team or club, or just someone who makes a special difference to local life.


As a newspaper which prides itself on being at the centre of life in this wonderful county we believe it is important to honour those who do the area proud through leading by example.


In more than half a century chronicling events in the county, we have covered countless stories of people who have done remarkable things.


This is the second year that we have run the Great Big Thank You Awards.


Last year eight awards were presented, ranging from 12-year-old McKenzie Smith who refused to let cerebral palsy prevent him from indulging in his love of sport to pub landlords Edd and Sue Lowe, who have raised £125,000 for forces charities.


This year’s scheme promises to be bigger and brighter, with 11 awards categories recognising people who do good from across the spectrum. We are looking for volunteers who selflessly give up their time for the good of the community, and a young star who has achieved great things.


There is an award for heroes who have shown outstanding bravery, and one for those who work to improve the environment.


We are also looking to honour carers who show special devotion to those they look after, and community champions who have made a special effort to improve the area in which they live.


Farming plays a hugely important part of life here in Shropshire and Mid Wales, and this year we are looking for people who have made a special contribution in this area. We also recognise the important role that grandparents, teachers and good neighbours can play, and we would like to hear about those who have done something special.


Whatever they do, we want to hear about them from you.


Tell us why this person or group is so special and nominate them for one of the Shropshire Star’s prestigious Great Big Thank You Awards – which will bring them the recognition they deserve. We are asking readers to nominate individuals for each category before our deadline of May 18.


A panel of judges will then choose the finalists, with the winners being chosen by our readers in a public vote.


The winners will then be invited, along with a guest, to an awards afternoon at Hadley Park House Hotel on October 10.


They will be joined by the campaign sponsors to enjoy afternoon tea before they are presented with their prizes and trophies, which have been designed by the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry.


Help us to give them the thanks they deserve. Go to the website here to make a nomination: https://www.starthankyou.shropshirestar.co.uk/

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News, News Titles

Shropshire businesses offered free online marketing tips at MNA Digital workshop

By on

24th April 2019

- News, News Titles

Shropshire businesses will be able to find out how to attract and convert more customers online at a free digital marketing workshop next month.
 
MNA Digital, the online arm of Shropshire Star publisher the Midland News Association, will be staging the event at Haughton Hall on May 16 to help delegates understand the ever-changing web landscape.
 
Andy Hill, managing director of MNA Digital, will give the talk, drawing upon his 25-year experience not only of working in Shropshire but from his earlier work at Zoopla and Autotrader.
 
The workshop organisers say the morning event is designed for local small and medium-sized enterprises, with the being aim to provide real-world advice and techniques which those attending can use to generate more business from your website.
 
Digital experts will be on hand to provide free one-to-one consultations for business delegates. 
 
Digital sales campaign manager Natalie Coughlan, who is organising the workshop, said: “It can be tough knowing where to focus your efforts when you plan your digital marketing. Those who join us on May 16 can get the latest digital marketing tips and advice.
 
“Whether you’re looking to get started online, learn more about PPC, SEO or social media our team will be on hand to help. Don’t miss out save your space today.”
 
The event will be informal, with free breakfast and networking to start and then an interactive presentation from Andy Hill, followed by the free one-to-one sessions.
 
Save your space by registering through Eventbrite (https://bit.ly/2IPcokx) or call 01902 928 662 for more information.
 
The Haughton Hall workshop is the second to be staged by MNA Digital. In March representatives from a range of companies attended the first event, held at Casino 36 in Wolverhampton.
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News, News Titles

Chip, chip, hooray! Third win in a row

By on

17th April 2019

- News, News Titles

A chip shop in Walsall has been voted the best in the area – for the third year running.
 
Aldridge Chippy 2, on Salters Road, has claimed the top prize in the Express & Star’s Chip Shop of the Year competition.
 
Chippies were rated by the number of tokens handed in by readers, while there was also a mystery shopper element which saw the takeaway taste tested.
 
Manager Tryfonas Papettas said: “All the customers help us and we’re really pleased about the win.
 
“Nothing has changed with the quality of service – it’s still high. We would like to say a big thank you and we’re grateful for the customers’ support.
 
“As we try to always go for the best quality products and it’s a constant battle to always give the customer the best.
 
“Make sure everything is the same – customers can expect that all the time and there’s no changes.
 
“It’s really nice to win and we’re very happy about it. We’re going to carry on.”
 
Tryfonas, known as Triv, said the chip shop aimed to win it next year – but said it would be difficult.
 
He said: “You never know – there’s always somebody new but we can only try our best.”
 
The manager, who has been at the shop for nine years, said no plans had been made over what to do to celebrate the win, adding: “We’re going to try and do something with the staff and take them out, but we haven’t got any plans yet.
 
“We’re very happy but it doesn’t mean we’re going to stop – we will carry on and do the best we can.
 
“The important thing is the customers – they’re very happy with the win. They’re very grateful that we’ve won it.”
 
The chippy offers a wide variety of classic meals and holds a five-star food and hygiene award.
 
Mr Papettas, who comes from Sutton Coldfield, said the focus of the chip shop was to provide high quality food at a reasonable price.

 

Family-run business Pearl’s Fish Bar, Milton Street, Palfrey, finished as a runner-up.
 
Owner Shamim Ahmed said he was “very happy” to come second.
He said: “I’m very happy with it. I would like to thank the local community and all of the staff – which are qualified in food safety. We do some healthy options for the customers as well and we love to be a part of the company as a long-serving chip shop in the area.
 
“It gives me a sense of pride and that’s why they voted for us. I’ve been here a long time – about 20 years now.”
 
Mr Ahmed said customers like visiting the chip shop because of the food, service and to discuss local issues.
 
“It’s a family-run business and we live in the area. The customers come in and we chat about local issues and we’re doing litter-picking in the area because we want to keep it clean.
 
“That’s why I think people like us – and we provide a great service and great food.
 
“Staff always are very keen to provide a nice service to the customers and also spend some time and money for their training as well.
 
“The fish and healthy eating food and fresh fish and chips. They are very popular and it’s mainly the quality of the food.”
 

Broadway Chippy, Hawes Close, finished third in the competition.

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News Titles

Winning chip shop was family’s saviour

By on

16th April 2019

- News Titles

A chip shop which became “a saviour for a family” has been named the best in an area – for the third year running.
 
The Blue Submarine in Middlepark Way completed a hat-trick after it claimed the top prize in the Express & Star’s Chip Shop of the Year for Dudley.
 
Chippies were rated by the number of tokens handed in by readers, while there was also a mystery shopper element which saw the takeaway taste tested.
 
Owner Antonio Andreas, said it had been in the family for 37 years. He said: “My parents owned the shop for 12 years and I’ve owned it for 25 years.
 
“Although I’ve done other things in-between owning the shop, I’ve always kept it and loved the shop because it saved the family when we moved there in 1982. They initially rented the shop and later bought the freehold. 
 
“It was like a saviour of the family and 37 years later I’m still there.
The owner, who lived in Birmingham before moving to Dudley, said: “I love the fact I know people’s children and their children – some of them have got grandchildren and it’s a lovely thing to be part of the community.
 
“We’ve won it the last two years and I thought someone else would win it this year because there’s some really good shops out there. When I received the call I was quite pleased. It’s quite rare for any shop to win it three years in a row.” 
 
The 51-year-old, who now lives in Stourbridge, said staff “try really hard” to provide a good experience to customers. He added: “I think we try really hard to get it right and I always believed I would never serve something I would never eat myself.”
 
Nicki’s Fish Bar, in Woodbury Road, Halesowen, finished runner-up – but the owners say they are determined to claim the title next year. 
 
Owners Nicki Andreou, who runs the shop with husband Pani Andreou, said: “It was down to the staff and the loyal customers.
 
“Hard work pays off and hopefully next year we’ll come first. If it wasn’t for the customers and staff we would not be here where we are now.
 
“Plus selling fresh fish pays off. Not many fish shops sell fresh anymore because of the cost and I would much rather keep the customer happy than my own pocket.”
 
The 44-year-old has a total of 30 years in the industry – following in her parents’ footsteps, who used to own a chip shop in the area.
Pensnett Fish Bar, in High Street, Pensnett, finished third in the annual competition.
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News Titles

Claverley completes purchase of design and print procurement agency

By on

9th October 2018

- News Titles

The Claverley Group, owner of the Midland News Association Ltd,  can confirm it has completed the purchase of creative design and print procurement agency Cubiquity.

Cubiquity provides marketing services for a number of leading national and global brands, across a wide range of market sectors.

Under the purchase agreement, Cubiquity will continue to operate from its base in Whyteleafe, Surrey.

The senior management team will be led by Kevin Rowland and Shane Inger as joint CEOs.

The agreement with Claverley has been made with a view to support the further growth of Cubiquity.

Claverley Group CEO Phil Inman said: “We are delighted to confirm our investment in an award-winning and market leading business which can build upon our heritage both in successful print and delivering creative solutions for clients.”

Shane Inger said the move would bring enhanced business benefits for Cubiquity’s customers.

He said: “The Claverley Group investment has provided us with the opportunity to flex our integrated design, print and digital services even more effectively around our clients’ needs, helping them to better engage and inspire their own audiences, now and in the future.”

Kevin Rowland added: “Working collaboratively as a group, we can deliver the services our customers need, alongside adding the value and speed-to-market they demand. We’re looking forward to working together.”

The announcement of the Cubiquity purchase comes after Claverley took a majority shareholding in Kennedy Enterprises Ltd, publisher of children’s magazines, in April.
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Events, News, News Titles, Press Release

The MNA has turned red for Zac

By on

28th September 2018

- Events, News, News Titles, Press Release

The county of Shropshire is turning red today for brave Broseley four-year-old Zac Oliver – and the MNA is support.

Staff across the offices are wearing red clothes and the Shropshire Star has also changed its website’s colour scheme from blue to red for a day – all in support of Zac.

The youngster, who has an extremely rare form of childhood leukaemia, called Near Haploid, needs to travel to Philadelphia in the U.S. for specialist CAR-T therapy currently unavailable on the NHS.



His family are trying to raise the £500,000 needed for the treatment, and so far, the response has been fantastic.

Schools, businesses and shops are wearing red today, and are sharing pictures with the #wearredforzac hashtag.

And everybody involved is asked to donate at least £1 towards the total.

How YOU can help:

Anyone who wants to support the fundraising campaign should visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/zac-oliver

Anyone donating is asked to make sure they post a picture of themselves wearing red on September 28 on Facebook or Twitter with the hastag #wearredforzac

People can also join Zac’s Facebook support page which is called ‘Zachariah’s’s fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia’.

People can also donate using their mobile phone by texting ZACH75 £1 to 70070.


Contact: Rebecca Heyes, MNA communications executive, 01902 319448
rebecca.heyes@expressandstar.co.uk
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Events, News Titles

Young Express & Star Design an Ad winners revealed

By on

5th July 2018

- Events, News Titles

More than 1,000 primary school pupils got their creative juices flowing to take part in an Express & Star competition to create an ad for a local business.

And the results were dazzling. The original and inspiring designs featured rainbows, hot air balloons, a heart-shaped earth and even a cameo picture of royal newlyweds Harry and Meghan.

The youngsters from 32 schools across the Black Country and Staffordshire were each paired up with a local firm and tasked with coming up with a fresh and stimulating advert for their school’s chosen company.

Bosses at each business then had the difficult job of deciding on their favourite design from those submitted. In April, those selected were reprinted in the Express & Star and our readers were asked to vote for the one they liked the best to become the overall winner.

On Tuesday, the young designers, accompanied by parents and teachers, were invited to The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton for a special presentation. Each winner received a framed certificate, a £10 voucher for Waterstones and a £50 voucher for their school.
 
The overall winner was eight-year-old Ava Bolton, from The Royal School, Wolverhampton, which was awarded the £500 top prize as a result. The Royal had been coupled with the Midland Metro Alliance and the youngster’s drawing of a tram trundling through the city at sunset won over the judges – and the readers.
 
Ava, from Tipton, who loves English and art, said: “I was surprised and happy at the same time when they read my name out.”
 
Watching on were her proud parents Craig and Alexandra Bolton. “On the way to the theatre she was nervous, saying: ‘It doesn’t matter if I don’t win, it’s the taking part that matters’,” said Alexandra, an NHS ward clerk. “She’s very arty. At the supermarket, she’ll always steer me towards the aisle with the colouring pencils, glue sticks, glitter, the whole works. She loves doing creative things, and she’s a perfectionist – if it’s not right, she’ll rip it up.
 
“We didn’t even know she’d entered a competition. She sat at the kitchen table for two hours working on the design. I thought she was just doing her homework until we got an email saying she’d won.”
 
Paul Brown, project director for Wolverhampton City Centre Metro Extension, Midland Metro Alliance: “We are over the moon that Ava’s design was voted as the overall winner. 
 
“We had some fantastic entries from The Royal School but Ava’s design really stood out to us and we’re delighted that it resonated with others too and was chosen as the overall winning design.”
 
Eight-year-old Nieve Elkington, from New Invention Juniors, Willenhall, designed a striking ad for the Black Country Chamber or Commerce featuring a globe, a jet and part of the Union Jack flag, amongst other colourful images.
 
The chamber had challenged pupils to come up with an ad to encourage businesses to trade internationally. And her parents Michael Parker and Victoria Taylor-Wilkes revealed that the winning design was very much an 11th-hour creation. 
 
Victoria said: “It was a last-minute entry. It was ‘Mummy, we’ve got to put this in’. So we sat down and looked at the brief. Nieve did her research about the Chamber of Commerce, and we talked about exporting, kicking around a few ideas. She came up with this design after rejecting quite a few.”
 
The Grand Theatre were very impressed with the submissions from pupils at Jubilee Academy Mossley in Walsall, remarking they ‘clearly understood all the important factors that make a good advert.’
 
They chose as their winner a design by 11-year-old Kayleigh Tranter, from Bloxwich, who based her graphics on the theatre’s upcoming panto Sleeping Beauty, winning herself and her family tickets to see the Christmas show.
 
Tobias Campbell, aged 10, of Tettenhall Wood School, Wolverhampton, was congratulated by the school’s sponsor NCP for his picture of an ambulance, at the same time helping the firm to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. His mother Charmaine Sang said her son, who is autistic, has problems communicating. “I’m really proud of Tobias. He has come a long way and this will give his confidence a big boost.”
 
A very detailed design by nine-year-old Seema Ehsani, of Bantock Primary School, Wolverhampton, included a heart-shaped earth, a park scene and a row of wheelie bins.
 
The University of Wolverhampton had asked pupils to come up with a design to encourage people to recycle, describing all the entries as ‘fantastic’. Seema said: “I drew two children in a park with flowers and no litter to show they care about the world and keeping it safe.”
 
Manveer Heera, of Villiers Primary School, Bilston, designed an imaginative ad for roofing company SPV Group, carefully sketching it in pencil first before going over the outlines in marker pen, a design that took him four days to complete.
 
The 11-year-old, who wants to design cars when he grows up, said: “I drew half the roof old and half of it new, and I drew a man and woman because the company doesn’t employ only men, they can be any gender, so I was just pointing that out. When my teachers saw it they said ‘This is really amazing’.
 
Zion Manhambard, aged nine, of St Martin’s CE Primary in Bilston, loves art, says his dad Lewis. “He often draws me with my beard and he also loves doing manual games, especially Lego. He’s also very conscious of the environment, I’m very proud of him.”
 
Praising the standard of the school’s entries, sponsor Network Packaging said there were ‘definitely some future designers and copywriters’ amongst the pupils.
 
Amelie Mae Bartlett, of Landywood Primary School, Great Wyrley, managed to come up with a winning design for Gullivers Kingdom theme park, even though she has never been there.
 
“I was researching about it because I’ve never been, and I thought it was very beautiful,” said the 10-year-old. “The message I wanted to put across was that it’s a really fun place to go and spend quality time with your family. The most difficult thing was drawing the castle, that took me most of the time – and deciding what rides to draw.”
 
She will now be able to draw the park from real life as in addition to winning she also bagged herself free tickets for a day out at the Nottingham venue.
 
The Harry and Meghan cameo was part of Willenhall-based Rihanna Ralph’s winning design for Poundland. The 10-year-old Short Heath Junior pupil’s design perfectly highlighted the company’s British roots.
 
Hosting the winner’s presentation event at the Grand Theatre was the MNA deputy advertising director Kim Hazel, while handing out the prizes was the company’s corporate sales manager Darren Griffin.
 
The main sponsors of the event were Wolverhampton-based Services 4 Schools. The company’s finance director Manjit Randhawa said: “We work with schools a lot so it was nice to give something back.”
 
Other winners included Grace Harrison, aged nine, of Leamore Primary School, Walsall; George Shirley, aged eight, of Sherbrook Primary School, Cannock; Khadyah Hashmi, aged nine, of Sledmere Primary, Dudley; Emilija Benke, aged eight, of Bylls Acre Primary, Wolverhampton; Gabby Malik, aged nine, of Perry Hall Primary; Maelys Descombes, 11, of Yew Tree Primary, Solihull; Isabella Parkes, aged nine, of St Austin’s Primary, Stafford; Jack Thompson, aged nine, of The Birchfield School, Albrighton; Sophie-Rose Harper, 11, of Rakegate Primary, Wolverhampton; and Phoebe Case, aged nine, of Castlecroft Primary, Wolverhampton.
Also under the spotlight were Filip Gallewicz, 10, of St John Bosco Catholic Primary, West Bromwich; Isla Adey, aged seven, of St Paul’s CE First School, Coven; Kristi Howell, 11, of Bilbrook CE Middle School, Codsall; Gurwinder Singh, 11, of Bilston CE Primary, Wolverhampton; Reyan Miah, aged seven, of St Stephen’s Primary, Wolverhampton; Aimee Sidebotham, 10, of Woodlands Academy of Learning, Willenhall; Samuel Mistry, aged nine, of Blue Coat CE(A) Junior School, Walsall; Aliyyah Adeoti, aged seven, of Butts Primary, Walsall; Hermione Mason, aged six, of Milking Bank Primary, Dudley; Zaara Pal, aged nine, of Elston Hall Primary, Wolverhampton; Zsofia Dibusz, aged nine, of Lickhill Primary, Stourport-on-Severn; Mikah Rathbone, aged nine, of St Nicholas CE First School, Codsall; and Kaye-Lee Reader, 11, of Moorcroft Wood Primary, Bilston.
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News Titles

Rob Kelly takes over new role as MNA head of circulation

By on

3rd July 2018

- News Titles

The MNA’s new head of circulation is looking to draw upon “a massive passion for selling newspapers” after starting work with the company.

Rob Kelly took up his new role at the MNA today (Monday July 2), having worked for more than 20 years at the Stoke Sentinel, managing a range of circulation disciplines.

Before joining the company, Rob held the role of head of newspaper sales for Trinity Mirror (West Midlands) Regionals, with added responsibility for the Birmingham Mail, Coventry Telegraph, the Sunday Mercury and a number of weekly titles.

Rob, who was raised in Newport and continues to live in the Shropshire town, said: “Growing up in the area I know the Shropshire Star and Express & Star are strong, trusted brands for local news.

“They are both newspapers which continue to be at the heart of their local communities.

“I am passionate about selling newspapers and look forward to exploring opportunities to capitalise upon.”

Rob succeeds Dean Barber, who left the MNA in April after four years to become managing director of Kennedy Publishing, after the MNA’s owners the Claverley Group purchased the children’s periodicals publisher.
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News Titles

Meet the winners from the Express & Star Business Awards

By on

8th June 2018

- News Titles

It was a night to celebrate the best in business across the Midlands.

Pallet-Track was named the Express & Star’s business of the year at a sell-out awards dinner last night.

More than 400 guests attended the glittering Express & Star Business Awards 2018 ceremony at Wolverhampton Racecourse.

Awards in 11 hotly-contested categories were presented over the course of the night with television’s National Lottery ‘Voice of the Balls’, Alan Dedicoat, hosting.

He said that to have even been shortlisted in the tough competition was a fantastic achievement.

The Express & Star business editor Simon Penfold and business reporter John Corser were on hand to bring updates from the ceremony to social media.


Winners on the night
Pallet-Track, which was founded in 2002, recently recorded its 21 millionth pallet milestone.

Across its network of 86 members around the country it employs more than 1,500 with 117 at its Wolverhampton home.

It is rightly proud of its record of never having lost a single consignment since the start of its operations.

The fast-growing overnight palletised freight distribution business, which has its headquarters at its modern and impressive 267,000 sq ft Titan Distribution Centre in Millfields Road, Ettingshall, announced as the winners of the blue riband award.

Midland News Association print managing director Graeme Clifford made the presentation to the delighted Pallet-Track team.

First award of the night went to video and animation production company Stone’s Throw Media, which is based at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park, as micro business of the year.

Wolverhampton’s Moog Aircraft Group, the world’s premier designer, manufacturer and integrator of flight control systems, landed the growth and innovation category with Stone-based chimney sweep Simon Guy-Holt brushing up in the new tradesperson of the year award. Judges praised him as an ambassador for his trade.

The closely-contested business person of the year category went to the chief executive of Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre, Adrian Jackson, for his inspirational role in transforming the theatre into one of the top venues in the country.

Wolverhampton-based Paycare took the community champion award. The organisation’s work in supporting a vast range of activities and charities was praised by the judges.

The manufacturing champion was Midland Tool and Design in Tipton, which was said to be a fine example of a traditional business embracing modern working practices with a slick, tidy and buzzing operation.

Young business of the year was revealed as water safety specialists H2O Hygiene, which was started in April 2017 in Cheslyn Hay. It impressed the judges by the progress it had made in such a short space of time.

Thomas Dudley Foundry, founded in 1920 and based at Birmingham New Road, Dudley, took home the coveted award for best use of technology and family business of the year went to funeral directors A and A Walters of Tipton.

Petford Group, which has specialist toolmaking and injection moulding factories in Dudley and Lye and has grown through steady investment in recent years, triumphed in the small to medium-sized business of the year category. Only a small handful of marks separated all four finalists in the judging

Sponsors of the award categories were: Altodigital, Carvers Building Supplies, City of Wolverhampton Council, Crowe, Higgs & Sons, HomeServe, Jaguar Land Rover, Made in the Midlands, Sandwell College and UTC Aerospace Systems. Star Public Relations was the supporting sponsor.

Associate sponsors were Wolverhampton Racecourse and production company Yarrington. The Grand Theatre sponsored the drinks reception.

The exciting evening also helped to raise funds for local charity Midland Freewheelers. The West Bromwich-based voluntary emergency motorcycle riders organisation established in 2009, is part of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, set up to provide an out of hours and emergency rider service to NHS hospitals.

The awards, which celebrate the best of Midlands business, attracted a record number of entries from businesses of all sizes from across the Black Country and south Staffordshire this year with the finalists selected after an extensive judging process.
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