Latest news with #Solihull
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
I worked late shifts at a Land Rover factory but hated it so much it inspired my Olympic dream, says Galal Yafai
GALAL YAFAI would be so tired from training that he would nod off during his factory shifts - but he never slept on his Olympic dream. The pint-sized flyweight had to watch older brothers Kal and Gamal win titles in the professional ranks while he worked overnight for Land Rover. And juggling the exhausting shifts with training almost caused him to throw in the towel on his boxing career - before he got on the Team GB squad. Yafai, 32, told SunSport: "It was a Land Rover factory in Solihull, they've got a big factory there that build the Land Rovers Discoveries and Defenders. "So I was working there, delivering the parts and whatnot for like three years in the factory. So it's full time it's proper work, it weren't part time. "So I kind of had to juggle boxing and work at the same time for three/four years and I actually got to a point where I was going to quit boxing. "I just thought, you know what, I'm 22, 23, now, I'm enjoying life. I'm going out and getting paid. I got my apartment with my brother and I was just enjoying life. "But just the stress of work too, it was getting hard to juggle boxing so luckily I got onto the Great Britain team, just before I decided to leave." Yafai would train from 5pm, clock in for work at 8pm and finish sometimes at 7am - before doing it all again. He hated it so much that the boxer was inspired to go to the Olympics - just so he could finally hand in his P45 after sleeping on the job. Yafai said: "It was just a nightmare. I'd have to train and go straight to work and do an eight-nine hour shift. I used to dread going into work. "I remember I used to see my brothers boxing, as pros and think, 'Oh, they're so lucky to get to just box for a living. I have to go to work and I have to train as well.' Anthony Joshua given hero's welcome on boxing trip to Ghana as Brit shows off his motorbike skills "It was hard training too so I'd have to to box and go straight to work, which was a nightmare, and do an eight hour shift. "I remember I'd fall asleep on my little buggy, I used to drive a buggy around and I used to fall asleep on there sometimes and some of the gaffers would go mad at me. "But yeah, I just thought, 'You know what, I need to stick at this because I could do something.' And thank God it worked out." Yafai packed up his job and became a full-time amateur boxer for Team GB - earning a spot on the 2020 Tokyo team. And after winning gold, Yafai turned pro a year later with Eddie Hearn and the hopes of replicating older brother Kal - the ex-WBA world champion. And Yafai made a super-quick start in the paid ranks - boxing in a ten-rounder for the WBC International title in his very first bout. He said: "Me and my coach thought I was good enough to start off in ten rounders. I used to drive a buggy around and I used to fall asleep on there sometimes and some of the gaffers would go mad at me. Galal Yafai "And Eddie said, 'Well, why not go for an international title?' We were like, 'Brilliant.' "But I want to get to a world title, so any minor title in between is, yeah, not too bad, I won't put it up on my mantelpiece, but it's nice to have. "It just so happened to be WBC International and hopefully I'll be fighting for the WBC full title soon." Yafai returns on Saturday in his home of Birmingham against Francisco Rodriguez Jr, Mexico's former WBO champ. Awaiting the winner is a shot at unified WBA and WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji. Yafai said: "I'd expect it, but you never know in boxing. Rodriguez is a top five competitor. "He's a former champion, he fought the best of the best, so it's not an easy fight. People don't really know him too well but I can't look past him. "He's a really good fighter and that's the thing nowadays, if people don't know who you're fighting, they don't think they're that good, which is the biggest mistake someone can make because he's a really good fighter but he's just not hugely well known here. "I'm not looking past him. He's a great fighter and hopefully I can get rid of him Saturday." 2
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DWP makes four big changes for single Universal Credit claimants aged 25 and over
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced four big changes for claimants who are single and aged 25 and over. Four million people are set to get a £725 boost with the bump in rates of Universal Credit. The shake-up from the Labour Party government could see millions of households benefit from the hikes. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, published on Wednesday, June 18, announced changes that will increase the standard Universal Credit allowance above inflation for four years, starting from 2026. Single claimants aged 25 and over, will see their rates increasing by 2.3% in 2026 to 2027 and then 3.1% in 2027 to 2028 and then 4.0% in 2028 to 2029, followed by 4.8% in 2029 to 2030, which is the end of this Parliament. READ MORE: Six-bed HMO plan gets the go-ahead from Solihull planners READ MORE: Handsworth crash victim Muhammad Qasim, 29, was over drink-drive limit and speeding - inquest READ MORE Millions of UK drivers urged to spend £9 before end of June James Watson-O'Neill, chief executive of disability charity Sense, said he was "especially alarmed" by plans to cut the Universal Credit uplift "for those with the greatest barriers to work". "Many of the disabled people and families we support have told us they're frightened, uncertain how they'll afford food, heating, other basic needs without this vital support," he added. The DWP press release boasts that: "The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will provide 13-weeks of additional financial security to existing claimants affected by changes to the PIP daily living component, including those who their lose eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of Universal Credit. "The 13-week additional protection will give people who will be affected by the changes time to adapt, access new, tailored employment support, and plan for their future once they are reassessed and their entitlement ends. "This transitional cover is one of the most generous ever and more than three times the length of protection provided for the transition from DLA to PIP." It is a: "Bill to make provision to alter the rates of the standard allowance, limited capability for work element and limited capability for work and work-related activity element of universal credit and the rates of income-related employment and support allowance, and to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment."
ArabGT
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
The Earliest Military Land Rover Series I Still Survives
While the Land Rover Series I made its debut after World War II, its identity as a rugged, no-nonsense off-roader with military roots was quickly established—much like the Jeep CJ it is so often compared to. These compact, robust machines earned a place in the military almost immediately after production began in 1948. One rare example stands out above the rest: chassis R-860756, believed to be the oldest surviving military Land Rover Series I in existence. Now, this historic vehicle is heading to auction with RM Sotheby's, offering collectors a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a true British legend. A Battle-Tested Legacy Preserved in Bronze Green Rolling out of the Solihull factory on December 16, 1948, this Series I was one of just 20 vehicles in the very first batch delivered to the British Ministry of Supply. It carried the War Department registration 'M6278786' before receiving its service number '90 YJ 00' in 1949. Unlike many of its contemporaries that were lost during active duty, this Land Rover endured—and its survival makes it a pivotal piece of Land Rover's military heritage. This Land Rover Series I remained in military service until 1961 and was officially retired the following year, sent to the War Department Storage Depot at Ruddington before being auctioned off. Civilian life began for the Series I with registration '2350 PK,' and it passed through only two owners before arriving in the hands of its current custodian in 1985. Restored With Respect, Built for History Though the original 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was replaced during military service with a reconditioned 1949 unit—a standard practice for vehicles of this era—the engine block still wears its Ministry of Supply brass 'overhaul' plate. Beyond that, its drivetrain remains authentic, featuring a full-time, two-speed four-wheel-drive system and the rare 'ring pull' gearbox still intact. Photographic documentation from an early restoration effort revealed a chassis so well-preserved it had reportedly never required welded repairs. A comprehensive, historically faithful restoration followed in 2014–2015 under the supervision of a Dunsfold Land Rover expert. The body was returned to its correct Bronze Green, complemented by a silver chassis and black axles—factory-spec finishes throughout. It still rides on period-correct Avon Traction Mileage tyres wrapped around split-rim military wheels, and even includes semaphore turn signals and a complete toolkit. Interestingly, hints of red paint once flanking the body suggest it may have been used in bomb disposal or as a munitions carrier—a detail that adds further intrigue to its military backstory. Own a Defender's Grandfather—for the Price of One Despite its rarity and historical significance, RM Sotheby's has placed a surprisingly accessible estimate on this landmark vehicle: £50,000 to £75,000, or roughly $68,000 to $102,000. That positions it squarely within the price range of a new Land Rover Defender—modern, yes, but lacking the gravitas and originality of this Series I. With no reserve set, this iconic machine will sell to the highest bidder when it crosses the block at the Cliveden House auction on July 8. For enthusiasts and collectors alike, this Land Rover Series I isn't just an opportunity to buy a car—it's a chance to own the beginning of a legend. Gallery:
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Council 'strides' five years on from death
The leader of Solihull Council says "significant strides" have been made in improving children's services in the five years since the murder of six-year-old Arthur Grinsell, Conservative, said the authority had made "considerable progress" in how it worked with other bodies such as police and health experts, and had improved leadership and support for staff, such as reducing workloads. That, she added, was improving response to children in need of authority came in for major criticism following Arthur's death, with shortcomings in its dealings with the schoolboy councillors welcomed Grinsell's comments but said more could still be done. Arthur was tortured by his father, Thomas Hughes, and Hughes's partner, Emma Tustin. He died of a head injury on 17 June 2020 at the couple's home. Tustin was found guilty of murder and in December 2021 jailed for a minimum term of 29 years. Hughes was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 21 years, although his sentence was later increased to 24 Ofsted inspection in 2022 deemed Solihull's children's services to be inadequate.A monitoring visit, which took place in April, found the authority had improved in areas such as managing safeguarding referrals and staff was the sixth and final assessment ahead of an expected full inspection later this year. "Our thoughts are with Arthur's family and friends on the anniversary [of his death]," said Grinsell."We have worked hard to improve our services for children and families since then and I am pleased we have made significant strides with this, as recognised by our most recent monitoring visit."We know we must not rest on our laurels and we will continue to make improvements so that children and families receive the support that they deserve." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
I thought my aching leg was from working from home – but it was sign of killer timebomb from pill millions take
A MUM put her aching leg down to being inactive while working from home - until she was hospitalised, riddled with blood clots caused by her daily pill. Amy Pitt says she is 'grateful that she's still here' to raise her two young sons, after doctors said she could have died if she left it any longer. 6 6 The 37-year-old is now urging others to be wary of the same pills. Despite using the same contraceptive pill since a teenager, she now urges other women to 'make sure they're aware of the risks' before starting the oral contraceptive. The combined hormonal contraception pill causes the potential risk of a blood clot in your leg or lung, which affects one in 1,000 people, according to the NHS. Amy, who lives in Solihull, West Midlands, said: "It's just a bit shocking. My pill could have killed me.' The civil servant was prescribed the combined pill in September 2024 to prevent her getting pregnant following her IVF birth and to help her gain weight. Having had no previous issues, when Amy began experiencing pain in her left leg in May she blamed it on being inactive. Amy said: "I work from home and I started feeling the usual aches and pains in my left leg. "I thought 'maybe it's because I don't do enough because I often work from home'. I'm not active or walking around but I'm not unfit. "It just got gradually worse and it got to the point where it was aching quite a lot. I thought I'd pulled a muscle or something. "I contacted 111 and they said 'book an appointment, we'll send you a link'. I couldn't use the link but I thought 'I'm just going to leave it. It's not going to be anything serious. I'm wasting their time and they're clearly so busy'. Understanding blood clots "It was only the next day I woke up and it was swollen and a bit discoloured. My left leg felt longer than the other one. When I was standing straight, one wasn't touching the floor. "It's basically the groin bit that was solid and bulging. When I stood up it was very hard to touch. I got a tape measure out and one leg was two or three inches difference in the top of my leg. The pain had also gotten worse in my tummy." After calling 111 they booked her a hospital appointment and she had blood tests before scans to test for a possible tumour. However, numerous tests and scans revealed Amy had an occlusive thrombus and extensive blood clots in the major veins in her leg. She also had a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. Amy said: "It's just crazy because I'm only young and I've got a blood clot caused by the Pill. "The doctor said 'your blood clots are so extensive. One of them is completely blocking the blood flow'.' Due to fly to Greek island of Crete a week later, doctors warned this 'could've been fatal for her' due to the cabin pressure. Flights can increase the risk of a blood clot already. And people who have a recent blood clot diagnosis are not advised to fly. Amy says: "I have two children so I was just thinking 'could you imagine if I'd gone on that flight. I could've been stuck in another country'. It's scary. "They said it was the pill and that I had to stop it today so it went straight in the bin. "I should've looked at it before taking it again but you rely on the doctors to tell you what's suitable and what's not. "I'm so grateful I got checked out when I did. I just knew that I couldn't afford not to get this checked because I've got two children." Amy admitted her leg may stay swollen for up to a year and is currently taking blood thinning medication to allow the blood clots to dissolve. She now wants to spread awareness to other women about the potentially 'life-threatening' risks. 6 6 6 6 Amy said: "I'm just grateful that I'm still here. Even now there's still potential that more clots could go from the leg to the lungs. I'm constantly on edge. 'Do I need to call the doctor'. It's given me a bit of anxiety. "It's just waiting for these clots to dissolve and hope that my life will get back to normal. "I'm on blood thinners now, so any bump to the head you have to call 111 because it can cause internal bleeding. "I have to carry an alert card in case I'm in an accident. Thankfully I've had no injuries so far. "I don't think I was aware this was one of the risks. That's what I've got to take accountability for. "In the small print of all these medications it does tell you all the risks. I think I was a bit naive. "Just make sure you talk to your doctor about the risks and make sure you're aware of the risks yourself. Read the small print. The odds of you getting one are low but the odds are still there. It could be life-threatening."
