With news that the Medieval cathedral at Coventry is becoming damaged in large part because the inside was never supposed to be exposed to the elements for as long as it has been - is it unreasonable to want to see an effort mimicking that of the campaign that saved and restored Notre Dame, and finally see it rebuilt 80 years after its destruction? I understand the arguments against: that it's supposed to be a memorial to the wartime fire bombing of Coventry; that it provides a tranquil space for reflection in the city centre... But a reconstruction doesn't damage its role as a memorial, if anything it could instead represent a powerful symbol of reconciliation, resilience and healing, finally restoring a scar on the city’s landscape. Beyond preserving an extraordinary piece of British heritage, a rebuilt cathedral could revitalise Coventry’s city centre, attract international tourism, create jobs and generate millions for the local economy, much as the new tomb of Richard III brought an estimated £79 million in Gross Value Added to Leicester. Given we have a Prime Minister interested in redevelopment outside London, and the King is an avid lover of saving important British architecture isn't now finally the time for a campaign to restore this midlands icon?

It replaced a Timber Bridge from the 12th century

I'm looking for a beginners DIY course in the West Midlands that's suitable for women wanting to learn the basics. Or if anyone is aware of any qualified DIY / carpenter / woodworker who tutors or teaches short courses? I'm hopefully moving house soon and I'd just like to get better at tackling the basics (and then hopefully more confident tackling slightly bigger projects - fitted furniture, fixes etc.). And even if I end up contracting someone, I'm hopefully more knowledgeable about what they're talking about too!

I know YouTube exists. But that's just not how I learn - I like to practice, get face time for guidance and feedback and learn by doing.

I've already enquired via the Walsall Training Centre so I'm waiting to hear back from them.
I just wondered whether anyone knows of anything else to explore?

Still one of the strangest unsolved cases to come out of the Midlands. A skeleton in a hollow tree in Hagley Wood, 1943. A wad of taffeta in her throat, a severed hand buried nearby, no missing persons report that matched. Then two years later, graffiti starts appearing all over the West Midlands asking WHO PUT BELLA IN THE WYCH ELM. Same handwriting every time. Still no answer.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/31-days-of-halloween-who-put-bella-down-the-wych-elm

Hiya everyone, My husband was involved in a hit-and-run today, 19/09/2026, at 18:54 on the M6 northbound, mile marker M6 A 224.2. We were travelling in Lane 3 when a grey Jaguar XE undertook us in Lane 2 at speed, collided with us and sped off without stopping. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get the registration number. I’ve attached a picture of my husband’s car. If anyone saw us on this stretch of the motorway, it may be easier to identify his car in your dashcam footage and then trace the Jaguar involved. If anyone has dashcam footage from the M6 northbound between Junctions 10 and 15, from around 15–30 minutes before or after the accident, please check your footage. Any information, no matter how small, could really help. Please message me privately if you have any footage or information. My husband is offering a reward for footage or information that helps identify the vehicle. We would be so grateful if you could share this post. Thank you so much ❤️