We were all stunned to hear the sudden news of the death of Pope Francis. In life, his compassion and humility earned him many admirers, and not just from Catholics. In death, he will be remembered as a man of peace and unity, who helped modernise the Catholic Church. We must remember that Pope Francis was not just a spiritual head, but a leader of so many, many millions across the world. His funeral takes place at the Vatican on Saturday morning which will undoubtedly be an emotional occasion around the world.
Aside from the sad news of Pope Francis, I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter break, whether you celebrated it in the church, within your community, or time spent with loved ones. Easter is a time of renewal, hope and transformation – something that is also essential to our work at Solihull Council. It is a time to reflect on the past, whilst looking forward to the future and the promise of new beginnings. The Easter message is one we can all get behind and I wish everyone the very best for the season ahead.
Continuing with celebrations, the weekend will bring about St George’s Day festivities for many, including the St George’s Day Parade held by Solihull Cole Scouts in Knowle High Street from 1pm on Sunday. This year, due to an old church tradition, the Church of England has moved the feast day of Saint George to Monday 28 April, which I think has confused some! The flag of Saint George will be proudly flying at the Council House on Monday. Whenever you are celebrating, I wish all a happy St George’s Day!
Looking a little further ahead, details have this week been announced for VE Day events on 8 May. You can read more information here.
Now onto other matters, and I am saddened to report that six newly planted trees at Chapelhouse Recreation Ground were vandalised overnight on Tuesday. These trees were planted as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing local green spaces for the benefit of the whole community. Senseless acts such as this are disheartening for everyone involved, particularly our dedicated team and volunteers who work hard to improve and care for these areas. We are currently assessing the damage and will be reviewing options for replanting in due course. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please report it to the Council or police.
The Solihull Employment and Skills Board have this week launched a work experience survey for employers. If you are a local employer, please do take part to help improve the work experience provision and support available. Good quality work experience can help young people make informed decisions on career directions and help employers understand their future workforce, so it is important to hear from as many employers as possible. You can find the survey here.
With the brighter days and sunnier weather we’ve been having, it’s a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors – and perhaps a bike. This week, we’ve launched a partnership with Peddle My Wheels to offer residents the ‘Try Before You Bike’ scheme, providing a flexible approach to hiring or buying a bike without the initial costs. Cycling is a great way to keep fit, save money on travelling, and it’s good for the environment too. Solihull Council staff are at Chelmsley Wood shopping centre next Tuesday 29 April from 10am – 3pm where you can find out more, or you can read more here.
Thank you for reading, enjoy your weekend.
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council.