Good morning,
It's another busy week across Great Barr. An Amber Heat Health Alert is in force this weekend, several major roadworks are set to affect local journeys, and we're also shining a spotlight on a fantastic independent business ahead of its August open day.
☀️ Urgent: Amber Heat Health Alert Active This Weekend
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the West Midlands, in effect through Sunday July 12 at 9pm.
Please check in on older or vulnerable neighbours, stay hydrated and keep out of direct sun between 11am and 3pm.
Park Notice: Barbecues and open fires are strictly prohibited across all Sandwell parks due to dry conditions. Council teams are patrolling and anyone caught lighting a fire faces an immediate £100 fine.
Water Safety: Stay completely out of open lakes, rivers and canals. Hidden undercurrents and cold depths can cause sudden hypothermia or severe cramp even in hot weather.
🛑 Traffic & Roads: Major Closures This Week
A34 Walsall Road (July 11–17): Lane closure outside the Scott Arms McDonald's/Teddington Grove junction, affecting traffic past Regina Drive.
Hamstead Hill (July 13–17): National Grid multi-way signals at the Park Hill Drive and Vernon Avenue junction.
Aldridge Road (July 14–15): Lane closure for LED upgrades from Wellhead Lane junction up to College Road along the edge of Perry Hall Park.
College Road (July 15–17): Virgin Media lane closure near the New Oscott traffic lights and Windsor Road/George Road strip.
Dyas Road (July 15–16): Full closure for road markings between Kingstanding Road junction and Harleston Road.
Hawthorn Road (July 15–16): Full closure for LED upgrades across the commercial strip near Greggs, Co-op and the Post Office.
👉 A34 Walsall Road, Hamstead Hill and Hawthorn Road are likely to be the biggest pinch points this week.
✨ Local Spotlight: SS Skin Lab — Save the Date (Saturday 29th August)
One of our local businesses got in touch this week and we're delighted to share it.
SS Skin Lab on Birmingham Road is hosting an exclusive Experience Day next month — a full day of beauty, science and one-day-only offers.
📍 16 Birmingham Road, Great Barr, B43 6NR
📅 Saturday 29th August, 10am–7pm
On the day:
Free skin analysis
Live treatments
Exclusive one-day offers
£300 raffle prize
Buffet and refreshments
Goodie bags
To register your interest contact them at 0121 647 5085, WhatsApp 07572 524163 or email [email protected]
We'll feature this again the week before — but worth saving the date now.
🎒 What's On This Weekend
Sandwell Pride 2026 (Saturday July 11, 12pm–6pm): Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich. Completely free, featuring a Pride Walk, live tribute acts, drag performances, children's zone, family rave and street food market. Free tickets must be booked online in advance.
Black Country Multicultural Weekend (Saturday & Sunday): Free double-header festival celebrating local food, music and community. Saturday 11am–6pm at Somers Square, Halesowen. Sunday 11am–6pm outside Sandwell Council House, Oldbury.
Fire Station RTC Live Demo (Saturday July 11, from 12pm): Tipton Fire Station — live Road Traffic Collision demonstration showing how crews cut passengers free from serious incidents. Free entry.
Chance Glassworks Exhibition (until July 23): Central Library, West Bromwich. Free entry, air-conditioned — perfect for escaping the afternoon heat.
Summer Reading Challenge Launch (Blackheath Library, Saturday July 11): Sandwell libraries are kicking off this year's Summer Reading Challenge — themed Read to the Beat. Blackheath Library is hosting a silent disco entertainer on Saturday with two slots (1pm–2pm and 2:15pm–3:15pm), plus crafts and refreshments. Kids of all ages can sign up at any Sandwell library this summer.
📅 Looking Ahead
Sandwell Summer Festival (Saturday 1 August, 11am–5pm): Sandwell Valley Country Park, B71 4BG. A massive free family day out featuring Blind Dave's Colour Run, live stage performances, sports activities, theatre shows, a food village and National Playday Zone. One to put in the diary for the summer holidays.
HAF Summer Activities: If your child receives benefit-related free school meals, Sandwell's Holiday Activities and Food programme is now taking bookings. Free holiday activities and meals across the borough all summer. Check sandwell.gov.uk for details and your voucher code.
🏛️ Local Museums
Oak House Museum: Tuesday & Wednesday 11am–4pm, Sunday 11am–2pm
Haden Hill House: Thursday & Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday & Sunday 2pm–6pm
Wednesbury Museum: Wednesday & Thursday 11am–4pm, Saturday 11am–2pm
💬 With school holidays coming up, what would you like to see more of? Holiday food club codes, free park activity timetables or more traffic updates? Hit reply and let us know.
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Drive safe,
Great Barr Insider