Severe weather warning forces events to cancel around Birmingham
Events are being cancelled due to severe weather warnings around Birmingham and the Black Country today (Saturday July 15). The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of the West Midlands and shared the places it is likely to hit.[1]
Lasting 15 hours, the weather alert[2] runs from 9am this morning until midnight tonight. Forecasters are predicting ‘some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport’ and that ‘some short term loss of power and other services is possible’.
Weather experts have also warned the unseasonable weather could ‘damage trees or temporary structures such as marquees, tents and inflatables.’ For this reason, and localised flooding in certain areas, some organisers have made the decision to cancel their events.
Nationally the Goodwood Festival of Speed has been called off for Saturday due to the weather warning. The high profile event was due to be broadcast on ITV1 this morning and had replaced the usual Saturday Morning with James Martin[3] slot.
Poll: Does the clean air zone charge put you off driving into the city centre?[5]
If you are planning to go to an event today, be sure to check ahead to avoid disappointment. A closure on the M42[6] motorway due to a serious crash is also likely to cause delays. Cancelled events include:
Black Country Musicom at Himley Hall
A night of dance anthems and club classics was planned for Himley Hall tonight with ravers being able to watch the sun set over the hall’s stunning lake. The line up included Seb Fontaine, Tall Paul and Jim ’Shaft’ Ryan.
However, organisers have had to postpone the event due to weather warnings. It is hoped the event will go ahead as planned on Sunday July 16 instead.
A spokesman said: “This event will not go ahead today. After consulting health and safety officials, staging operatives and other key stakeholders, we have taken the decision to close the event site due to a severe weather warning with thunderstorms and winds forecast to exceed 40mph.
“On-site safety is our highest priority, and the forecast high winds will pose a serious risk to the various temporary structures across the site, including the main stage. We politely ask that you do not travel to Himley Hall and Park for this event or attempt to access the site.
“This decision has not been made lightly and the event team are deeply saddened that this event will not run today. As it stands, Black Country Musicom 2023 will go ahead as planned on Sunday (16 July).”
Sutton Coldfield Community Games
Sports organisers in Sutton Coldfield[7] have had to cancel their first day of events for the Sutton Coldfield Community Games[8]. Set to take place on Saturday and Sunday, today’s activities have been cancelled due to fears of high winds and lightning.
Most of today’s events were due to take place between 12 noon and 5pm at Wyndley Leisure Centre’s track and inner field. The event’s second day on Sunday (July 16) will go ahead unless the current predicted weather significantly worsens and organisers have promised to go ‘all out’ to make that day special.
Black Country Day
Black Country Day in Bilston has been cancelled due to severe weather warnings (Image: Wolves Council / Twitter)
Black Country Day was set to take place from 10am to 2pm today in Bilston town centre. It was due to feature The Fizzogs, Black Country Brass, a fun fair, free face painting and local charity and community stalls.
Sadly the event, which was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the region’s festival, has had to be cancelled due to the heavy rain forecast for the region. Organisers Bilston BID (Business Improvement District) made the decision to cancel the event.
A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council tweeted: “Please note, due to bad weather forecast for tomorrow, Bilston BID have unfortunately cancelled the Black Country Day event due to take place tomorrow.”
Shape Youth Summer Fest
Shape Youth Summer Fest was set to happen from 12noon – 8pm, at the Sandwell Valley Showground and it was going to be full of free activities and music for children, young people and their families!
A spokesman for Sandwell Council tweeted: “CANCELLED! Today’s SHAPE Youth Summer Fest and Blind Dave’s Colour Run has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions including high winds and thunderstorms. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
Additional cancellations
Cycle Solihull[9] Super Stretcher
Veteran, Vintage and Classic Car Show in Ombersley
Keep up to date with this article as we update with any other event changes throughout the day.
References
- ^ and shared the places it is likely to hit. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ weather alert (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ James Martin (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ The 53 best things to do in Birmingham this summer 2023 – essential guide (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Does the clean air zone charge put you off driving into the city centre? (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ closure on the M42 (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Sutton Coldfield (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Sutton Coldfield Community Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Solihull (www.birminghammail.co.uk)