Andy Giddings
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Articles by Andy Giddings
New owners pledge nightclub will remain unchanged
The owner of Shrewsbury's Buttermarket has agreed to sell the venue after 15 years at the helm, saying the move will help secure an "even bigger and brighter future". Martin Monahan announced the nightclub will become part of Shrewsbury-based Cove Group from January 2027, with its new owners pledging it will remain a nightclub. Cove Group already operates the town's former Dana Prison. Announcing the sale on social media, Monahan said more than £2m had been invested in The Buttermarket since 2012.
Tributes for 107-year-old 'gentleman' RAF veteran
Tributes have been paid to a 107-year-old who was present at both Dunkirk and the D-Day landings. Colin Cole, from Gobowen in Shropshire, served in the RAF during the war, spending four years flying sea rescue missions then retraining as a teacher. His friend Mike Souttar, also from Gobowen, said he was "very fit" and "terribly intelligent" as well as a "total old-fashioned gentleman".
UB40 to appear at Ludlow Castle next summer
UB40 are touring again with three of their original lineup UB40 have been added to the list of acts due to perform at Ludlow Castle in 2027. The reggae band, including their lead singer and co-founder, Ali Campbell, will appear on 18 July. The Live at Ludlow concerts, which started in 2023 will also feature McFly and Becky Hill, with more names due to be announced in the coming weeks.
Worker left unable to communicate after load fell
A Telford company is fined £4m after investigators say the worker suffered brain and spine injuries. A company has been fined £4m after a worker suffered life-changing brain and spinal injuries that left him unable to communicate and now living in a care home with round-the-clock care. The 40-year-old, from Telford, was crushed by a 231kg (36 stone) forklift load while working at City Electrical Factors Limited's Proteus Switchgear division in Stafford Park in October 2024.
Food festival cancelled after 13 years
Shropshire Festivals says it is not viable to keep running the event without big ticket price rises. An annual food festival has been axed after 13 years due to rising costs. Shrewsbury Food Festival has been held in Quarry Park since 2013 but organisers said an increase in fuel prices, staffing and infrastructure costs meant it was no longer viable.
Crews adapt to tackle wildfire and flood 'extremes'
Follow Crews adapt to tackle wildfire and flood 'extremes' Adam Green - Presenter, BBC Radio Shropshire; Andy Giddings - West Midlands Fri, October 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM EDT Group commander Anna Morris Jones said crews were preparing in advance by giving advice on wildfires in winter [Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service] A senior fire officer believes her firefighters are now in a cycle of dealing with wildfires and floods.
Barriers can be broken, says pioneering footballer
A footballer who was recently honoured at the Asian Football Awards believes more needs to be done to help South Asian footballers break into the game. Mal Benning received the South Asian Pioneer Award after more than 500 senior appearances at clubs including Walsall, Mansfield Town, Port Vale and Shrewsbury Town.
Car thieves 'not worried about being caught', says security expert
Matt Smith; Andy Giddings - West Midlands Wed 14 October 2026 at 1:07 pm UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. West Mercia Police said thieves were becoming increasingly sophisticated [Getty Images] A locksmith who specialises in vehicle security believes car thieves are not deterred by the possibility of being caught.
Car thieves 'not worried about being caught', says security expert
A locksmith who specialises in vehicle security believes car thieves are not deterred by the possibility of being caught. A BBC investigation has found car thefts have more than doubled around the country in the last decade, while the proportion of cases solved by police has fallen. In the West Mercia Police area, there were 1,338 vehicle theft offences last year, but just 3.7% resulted in a charge or summons.
Car thieves 'not worried about being caught', says security expert
A locksmith who specialises in vehicle security believes car thieves are not deterred by the possibility of being caught. A BBC investigation has found car thefts have more than doubled around the country in the last decade, while the proportion of cases solved by police has fallen. In the West Mercia Police area, there were 1,338 vehicle theft offences last year, but just 3.7% resulted in a charge or summons.
Car thieves 'not worried about being caught', says security expert
Matt Smith; Andy Giddings - West Midlands Wed, 14 October 2026 at 1:07 pm UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. West Mercia Police said thieves were becoming increasingly sophisticated [Getty Images] A locksmith who specialises in vehicle security believes car thieves are not deterred by the possibility of being caught.
Car thieves 'not worried about being caught', says security expert
A locksmith who specialises in vehicle security believes car thieves are not deterred by the possibility of being caught. A BBC investigation has found car thefts have more than doubled around the country in the last decade, while the proportion of cases solved by police has fallen. In the West Mercia Police area, there were 1,338 vehicle theft offences last year, but just 3.7% resulted in a charge or summons.
Town's park and ride given three-year reprieve
A park and ride service which was axed in June will now remain open for at least the next three years after a public outcry. Four months ago, Shropshire Council announced the Meole Brace site, located to the south of the town, would stop operating in November because of low usage and funds would be redirected to support other bus routes in the county. Last month, the council announced the park and ride site would remain open in the short term, while a "conversation" over parking took place.
Baby squirrel monkey the latest addition at zoo
Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World have been keeping news of the latest arrival secret, until now. A baby squirrel monkey is joining its family in one of the enclosures at a Telford zoo. The new arrival, which was born at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in the summer, is an addition to the troop of eight which were brought in from a zoo in Kent last year.
Woman in 70s dies after two-car crash
A woman in her 70's has died in hospital after a crash on Friday. West Mercia Police said her Alfa Romeo collided with a Mercedes on the A41 near Hinstock, Shropshire, at about 18:00 BST. It said two people travelling in the Mercedes suffered minor injuries and went to hospital as a precaution. A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and has since been released, the force said.
Becky Hill is latest headliner for castle gigs
Becky Hill is the second act to be confirmed for next summer Becky Hill will appear at Ludlow castle next summer, as part of the venue's annual concert series. The two-time BRIT Award winner, famous for songs including Gecko, Remember and Lose Control will appear on 23 July. The singer is the second act to be revealed, following the announcement that McFly will appear at the venue two days later.
Patients to face higher hospital parking charges
Follow Patients to face higher hospital parking charges Andy Giddings - West Midlands Mon, October 12, 2026 at 8:37 AM EDT The hospital trust said it was working on increasing parking provision at its sites [PA Media] People visiting hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford will have to pay more for parking from next month.
Man killed in collision involving four vehicles
A man has been killed in a collision which involved four cars. West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to London Road in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, shortly after 11:00 BST. One of the cars was on its roof, it said. The driver, a man in his 60s, was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics. Two further patients, a woman and a girl, were treated for minor injuries. West Mercia Police said it appeared two of the cars had been parked and unattended.
Suspended sentence for painter after stepson dies
A painter and decorator was given a suspended prison sentence after his stepson was fatally electrocuted while working with him. Connor Lambert, 24, died while moving a ladder close to overhead power lines in Farndon, Cheshire, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said. The trainee painter from Market Drayton in Shropshire had been moving the ladder close to the gable end of a house and it either came into contact with the cables or came very close, causing electricity to arc from the line.
Two in hospital after escaping house fire
Follow Two in hospital after escaping house fire Andy Giddings - West Midlands Wed, October 7, 2026 at 6:30 AM EDT The fire service said the house was badly damaged [Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service] Two people have been taken to hospital with burns after escaping from a severe house fire in Market Drayton. The blaze broke out at the home on Kings Avenue at 00:41 BST and four firefighters went inside to search the burning house, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
New breast cancer unit officially opens
Follow New breast cancer unit officially opens Andy Giddings - West Midlands Mon, October 5, 2026 at 1:13 AM EDT New breast cancer unit officially opens A new breast care unit in Stafford is due to be officially opened. The facility at the County Hospital started operating earlier this year and the University Hospitals of North Midlands said it had made a real difference for patients and staff. The NHS Trust said it brought "breast care services together under one roof".
National Trust encourages Ironbridge collaboration
Tourism businesses in Shropshire have been invited to learn more about the National Trust's plans for the Ironbridge Gorge museums, and to how they can benefit. The National Trust took over ownership of the sites in March and the attractions reopened under their new management in May. The Telford and Shropshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership has arranged a one-day conference in Coalbrookdale on Monday to discuss collaboration opportunities.
Noel Gallagher guitar sells for £12,000 at auction
A guitar which originally belonged to Noel Gallagher has been sold for £12,000 at auction. The limited edition Epiphone instrument in Manchester City blue was one of a number of items put up for sale by the son of Huw Richards, a former front-of-house sound engineer with the band. Another of the items in his collection, a Kangol rain jacket produced for the band's touring personnel, sold for £2,000.
'Iconic' motorbike returns home after 100 years
Harry Copnall has fond memories of the Grindley Sporting motorbike, which was built at a garage in his village A 103-year-old handmade motorcycle has returned home to the village where it was made. The Grindley Sporting bike was built by Billy Grindley at his garage in Prees, Shropshire, in 1923 and since then has changed owners several times, eventually being bought by the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.
Northern Ireland road rules give campaigner hope
A woman who lost her teenage son in a crash hopes new driving laws for newly qualified drivers in Northern Ireland will pave the way for similar rules in England and Wales. Harvey Owen, 17, from Shrewsbury, died along with three friends when the car they were in left a rural road near Garreg, Gwynedd, in 2023, while they were on a camping trip. Since then his mother Crystal Owen has campaigned for "graduated licences" which place restrictions on new drivers with the aim of improving road safety.
Car rally brings boost to Shropshire businesses
A car rally in the Shropshire countryside has been credited with bringing extra business to towns along the route. The Hills Ford Rally Stages event was held in the county for the first time over the weekend of September 19-20, with a ceremonial start in Shrewsbury. Seb Slater from Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID), a group which represents businesses in the town, said footfall had been up 26% compared to the previous year.
Car rally brings boost to Shropshire businesses
Orgainsers said 150 competitors from across the UK took part in the two-day event (Stock image) A car rally in the Shropshire countryside has been credited with bringing extra business to towns along the route. The Hills Ford Rally Stages event was held in the county for the first time over the weekend of September 19-20, with a ceremonial start in Shrewsbury.
Car rally brings boost to Shropshire businesses
A car rally in the Shropshire countryside has been credited with bringing extra business to towns along the route. The Hills Ford Rally Stages event was held in the county for the first time over the weekend of September 19-20, with a ceremonial start in Shrewsbury. Seb Slater from Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID), a group which represents businesses in the town, said footfall had been up 26% compared to the previous year.
Family's love of books helped author break stereotypes
Nadia Shireen said she grew up in a family which loved reading An author who said she defied expectations to write children's books believes her family's love of reading helped her fulfil her dream. Nadia Shireen from Wellington in Shropshire has had a series of picture books published by Penguin, but recalls growing up at a time when people from South Asian backgrounds were rarely seen as writers.
Pub ready to re-open two years after lorry smash
Follow Pub ready to re-open two years after lorry smash Andy Giddings - West Midlands Tue, September 29, 2026 at 6:35 AM EDT A pub closed since it was badly damaged by a lorry two years ago is due to re-open later this week. Black Country Ales bought the Three Fishes in Bayston Hill near Shrewsbury shortly before the crash in November 2024 and said it had carried out a "substantial" rebuild.
McFly first act announced for Ludlow concerts
McFly are the first act to be announced for a series of concerts at Ludlow Castle next summer. The Live at Ludlow Castle events have been running since 2023 and this summer 50,000 people visited over two weekends. McFly were formed in 2003 and are famous for songs such as Five Colours In Her Hair and All About You. They are due to appear at the castle on 27 July 2027 and the promoters, Futuresound Group, said more announcements would follow.
Footpath to RAF museum nears completion
Footpath to RAF museum nears completion Andy Giddings - West Midlands Mon, September 28, 2026 at 11:24 a.m. EDT Construction work on the new path was carried out over the summer [Royal Air Force Museum] Thousands of people visiting a popular museum will no longer have to walk on the road to reach it as a new footpath opens. Previously, visitors travelling to the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands at RAF Cosford, Shropshire, by train had to walk along an unsafe road to visit the museum.
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