Leona Smart

England

Newsreader and Broadcast Journalist at BBC

Newsreader/Journalist. Works at the BBC. All views my very own.

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Articles

Black Country brothers overwhelmed as 1960s home recreated

Oct 6, 2023 | bbc.co.uk | Leona Smart

Two brothers have been "overwhelmed" to see the 1960s home they lived in as teenagers recreated at a museum. The house is one of a number of new exhibits in a street dedicated to memories of the 1940s to the 1960s at the Black Country Living Museum. Researcher Claire Weston said it had been "a gift" when John and Alan Aston, who grew up in the Black Country, got in touch to share their memories. The pair also donated family heirlooms to help decorate the house.
Black Country brothers overwhelmed as 1960s home recreated

Oct 6, 2023 | bbc.com | Leona Smart

Image source, Black Country Living MuseumImage caption, Alan and John Aston grew up in the Black Country in the 1960sTwo brothers have been "overwhelmed" to see the 1960s home they lived in as teenagers recreated at a museum. The house is one of a number of new exhibits in a street dedicated to memories of the 1940s to the 1960s at the Black Country Living Museum.
'Chaos for nothing' if HS2 plans change

Sep 27, 2023 | bbc.com | Leona Smart |Rakeem Omar |Stuart George

Image caption, Business owner Darell Baumber said it "looks like a tornado's been to the area"By Leona Smart & Rakeem Omar & Stuart GeorgePeople living close to where the second phase of HS2 is supposed to start have questioned suggestions it may be axed. People talking in Lichfield, Staffordshire, said the disruption and "daily chaos" of the project would have been for nothing if plans were changed. The government stated its "focus remains on delivering" the HS2 project.
Beacon Hill Academy: Girls out of lessons in stretchy trousers row

Sep 13, 2023 | bbc.co.uk | Leona Smart |Rakeem Omar

Parents said they were furious their daughters had been taken out of lessons for wearing stretchy black trousers at a school that recently starred in a BBC documentary about behaviour. One mum claimed some girls had to go into cupboards to change - something the head of Beacon Hill Academy in Sedgley denied. The secondary school said it would buy a uniform if there were "difficulties". Principal Sukhjot Dhami said he made "no apologies" of the high standards.
Sadness as Brownhills Wilko among first to close

Sep 12, 2023 | bbc.com | Leona Smart |Andrew Dawkins

Image caption, Jan Davies said there had been "lots of closures to shops" in BrownhillsBy Leona Smart & Andrew DawkinsShoppers spoke of their sadness at a town's Wilko branch closing for good on Tuesday after the collapsed retail chain failed to find a buyer. They were speaking over the demise of the Brownhills store in the West Midlands - one of 24 shutting on the same day. All 400 of the discount chain's shops are set to close by October and about 12,500 staff are likely to lose their jobs.
Performers 'devastated' by Solihull theatre RAAC closure

Sep 7, 2023 | bbc.co.uk | SHEHNAZ KHAN |Leona Smart

Performers from a musical theatre company said they were "absolutely devastated" after their stage production was cancelled due to crumbling concrete fears. The Core Theatre in Solihull closed after it was found to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Solihull Council said Tuesday's closure was a "precautionary measure" while the venue awaited safety inspections. But Coleshill On Stage said players were "gutted". They had been rehearsing for five months when the news broke, they said.
Asian music pioneer Mohammed Ayyub 'thrilled' with display of work

Aug 17, 2023 | bbc.com | Leona Smart

Image caption, Mohammed Ayyub said he was "thrilled" to see some of his company's records go on displayA man who set up a record label for South Asian music has said he is proud to see his work go on display. Mohammed Ayyub came to Birmingham in the 1960s and founded Oriental Star Agencies because he missed the music from his homeland. He also worried others "would have gone for Madonna and Michael Jackson and wouldn't have listened to our music".
Lionesses' success inspiring next generation

Aug 16, 2023 | bbc.com | Leona Smart |Susie Rack

Image caption, Teammates Skye and Jasmine said they loved playing for Boldmere St Michael'sBy Leona Smart & Susie RackGrassroots teams say they hope the Lionesses' success can inspire the next generation of women's footballers. "Hopefully we provided them [with] good luck to go and win the World Cup," said player and vice-chair Rhiannon Travers. Carly Cartwright, commercial manager at the club, said England's 2022 Euro win had already attracted more female players.
Lionesses' success inspiring next generation

Aug 16, 2023 | bbc.co.uk | Leona Smart |Susie Rack

By Leona Smart & Susie RackBBC News, West MidlandsGrassroots teams say the Lionesses' success is continuing to inspire the next generation of women's footballers. About 130 children gathered at Boldmere St Michael's FC in Sutton Coldfield to see England triumph 3-1 over World Cup hosts Australia in Sydney. Their interest was heightened by Sarina Wiegman announcing her squad for the tournament at the club back in May.
Swimmers aim for age record in Channel challenge

Jul 27, 2023 | bbc.com | Leona Smart

Image caption, Lionel Spittle (right), pictured with Dave Rock, turns 70 before next month's challengeSwimmers with a combined age of 233 hope to set a world record as the oldest mixed four-person relay team to swim the English Channel. The quartet includes Lionel Spittle, from Wolverhampton, who turns 70 before the attempt starts on 15 August. The swimmers and another team of four are both raising money for charity.