https://b26sheldon.uk/ News from Sheldon, Birmingham and the UK. en-GB Sun, 15 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://b26sheldon.uk/community/christmas-past-present-getting-ready-festive-season/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/christmas-past-present-getting-ready-festive-season/ Sun, 15 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Community How British Christmas preparations have changed, from Stir-Up Sunday and Victorian goose clubs to Santa's grottos and Advent calendars. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/us-flight-ground-stop-uk-travellers-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/us-flight-ground-stop-uk-travellers-sheldon/ Sat, 14 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Community US flights were grounded after an air traffic control communications failure. Find out what happened, why it happened and how UK travellers were affected. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-country-park-play-area-plans-open-for-public-comment/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-country-park-play-area-plans-open-for-public-comment/ Sat, 14 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT B26 Plans for Sheldon Country Park include new toddler and inclusive play equipment, a gazebo and improved access. Have your say before 22 November 2026. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/when-digital-world-stops-working-technology-dependence-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/when-digital-world-stops-working-technology-dependence-sheldon/ Sat, 14 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Technology Microsoft's global outage and cyber attacks on refrigeration systems show how much daily life relies on technology. Simple steps to keep going when services go down. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/microsoft-outage-outlook-teams-worldwide-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/microsoft-outage-outlook-teams-worldwide-sheldon/ Fri, 13 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Technology Microsoft has restored Outlook, Teams and Microsoft 365 after a worldwide outage. Find out what caused the disruption and what users should check. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/report-petrol-station-fuel-price-problems-uk-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/report-petrol-station-fuel-price-problems-uk-sheldon/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Community Found a different price at the pump, spotted an inaccurate fuel listing or suspect a faulty petrol dispenser? Here is how UK motorists can report fuel-price problems and which authority deals with each issue. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/dwp-winter-fuel-payment-eligibility-2026-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/dwp-winter-fuel-payment-eligibility-2026-sheldon/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Community DWP is paying Winter Fuel Payments of £100 to £300 from mid-November to people born on or before 27 June 1960. Most are automatic, and anyone who needs to claim has until 31 March 2027. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/bbc-black-sky-plan-explained-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/bbc-black-sky-plan-explained-sheldon/ Wed, 11 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Community The BBC has revealed how it plans to keep broadcasting during an extreme national emergency. Here's what its Black Sky plan involves, why traditional FM radio still matters and what households in Sheldon, Birmingham and across the UK can learn from the government's Be Ready campaign. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/birmingham-airport-masterplan-consultation-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/birmingham-airport-masterplan-consultation-sheldon/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Planning Birmingham Airport's draft Master Plan to 2041 plans for 30m passengers a year. Feedback closes 4 December 2026: events, noise, parking and how to respond. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/birmingham-frankfurt-christmas-market-2026-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/birmingham-frankfurt-christmas-market-2026-sheldon/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Events Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market has returned for its 26th year, bringing German food, festive music and Christmas shopping to the city centre. Find out the opening dates, times, Remembrance Sunday arrangements and how to get there from Sheldon and the wider B26 area. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/bonfire-night-fireworks-law-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/bonfire-night-fireworks-law-sheldon/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Safety West Midlands Police is urging people to go to an organised display rather than set off fireworks at home, warning that using them in streets or parks can mean an unlimited fine or a criminal record. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/smart-devices-cyber-attack-real-world-harm-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/smart-devices-cyber-attack-real-world-harm-sheldon/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Safety Hackers raised freezer temperatures to 50°C across supermarkets in seven European countries. The equipment used is also in Tesco and Sainsbury's — and over 800 UK refrigeration controllers are currently reachable from the open internet. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-earned-settlement-ilr-update-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-earned-settlement-ilr-update-sheldon/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Immigration Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has unveiled a major overhaul of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rules, moving the UK to an earned settlement system. Here is what the changes mean for migrants, care workers, and Skilled Worker visa holders across the UK. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/solihull-round-table-fireworks-sheldon-2026/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/solihull-round-table-fireworks-sheldon-2026/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Events Solihull Round Table's bonfire and fireworks night took place at Tudor Grange Park on Saturday 7 November, with a family-friendly display, bonfire and funfair, and all proceeds going to local charities. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/fort-shopping-park-christmas-market-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/fort-shopping-park-christmas-market-sheldon/ Sun, 01 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Events The festive season kicks off across East Birmingham as The Fort Shopping Park hosts its annual Christmas Market, Christmas Light Switch-On, real reindeer, Santa Claus, and live family entertainment. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/st-thomas-more-church-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/st-thomas-more-church-sheldon/ Sun, 01 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT Community St Thomas More RC Church on Horse Shoes Lane, Sheldon: regular Mass times, the church's history and architecture, and how to contact the parish. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/binance-crypto-hack-explained-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/binance-crypto-hack-explained-sheldon/ Sat, 31 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT Safety Following the world's largest digital currency theft, I look at how criminal hackers drained $6.3 billion from Binance, how funds were frozen, and key takeaways for everyday online safety. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-be-ready-campaign-emergency-preparedness/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-be-ready-campaign-emergency-preparedness/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT Safety Following the Government's new Be Ready campaign asking households to prepare for 3 days of disruption, I look at official guidance, Operation Albiston Shadow, and viral social media claims. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-budget-2026-sheldon/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-budget-2026-sheldon/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT Money Chancellor John Healey presented the 2026 UK Budget on 28 October, announcing a £100 energy payment, removal of gas standing charges, a £2 bus fare cap and changes affecting workers, pensioners and first-time buyers. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-eu-talks-sheldon-birmingham/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/uk-eu-talks-sheldon-birmingham/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT Travel The UK and EU are in talks on a Youth Experience Scheme and a food and agricultural trade (SPS) agreement. Here is what is being discussed, what has not changed, and what happens next. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-country-park-new-security-improvements/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-country-park-new-security-improvements/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Parks & Wildlife Birmingham Parks & Greenspace has installed new height restrictors, farm gates, and high-security locks across Sheldon Country Park and the surrounding area to improve security and protect the animals. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/common-darters-spotted-sheldon-country-park/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/common-darters-spotted-sheldon-country-park/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Parks & Wildlife Two Common Darter dragonflies have been spotted along the cycle path at Sheldon Country Park during a recent biodiversity walk. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/brum-transport-fest-2026-classic-cars/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/brum-transport-fest-2026-classic-cars/ Sat, 19 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Events A display of classic British cars has taken over Hippodrome Square as part of Brum Transport Fest — including an Austin A70 Hereford, a classic Mini, a Rover 416 GSi and a Jaguar XJ6. Entry is free and it's on today until 5pm. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/brum-transport-fest-september-2026/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/brum-transport-fest-september-2026/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Events A free, two-day celebration of West Midlands transport heritage is taking place across four city centre squares on 18–19 September 2026, with themed talks, classic bus rides, car displays and live entertainment. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/the-boys-christmas-event-2026/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/the-boys-christmas-event-2026/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Events The Boys Christmas Event returns to the RAFA Club on Church Road on Sunday 13 December 2026 — free entry, a hand-built Santa's grotto, Central Legion cosplay, festive food and a fully licensed bar. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-country-park/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-country-park/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Days Out Just behind the A45, Sheldon Country Park offers 300 acres of grassland, wetland and woodland — free to enter, open all year, and home to Old Rectory Farm, a 17th-century working farm in the heart of the site. https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-road-resurfacing-2026/ https://b26sheldon.uk/community/sheldon-road-resurfacing-2026/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Transport Overnight resurfacing work across Sheldon has been progressing on schedule, with new asphalt laid on key routes and road markings — including pedestrian crossings, bus bays and junction lines — being repainted across the area.