For a tranquil jaunt through the Black Country via narrowboat, featuring the Delph, Merry Hill and Dudley Canal Trust, go to http://www.thebridgeradio.net/ and view Amsterdam, a journey through the Black Country on the home page. The accompanying text by Alex Totney, Chief Executive 102.5 The 'Bridge, explains all.
Do also note that 102.5 The 'Bridge is now available live and online via digital streaming through its website http://www.thebridgeradio.net/ and also offers a 'shoutbox' facility for communicating direct with the studio.
A merry Christmas to all our listeners, supporters and sponsors.
Graham Fisher MBE
Chairman, Stourbridge Radio Group Ltd
http://www.thebridgeradio.net/
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
More on Top Architects post (28/11/09)
TOP AWARDS FOR LICHFIELD ARCHITECTS
Please read on to learn more about the company recently approached to to advise the Group on feasibility and architectural matters. This is a step in the right direction and I hope to bring more news of the project over Christmas.
Saturday, 28 November 2009
TOP ARCHITECTS SET TO HELP WITH CHURCH RESTORATION
The St John's Church Steering Group which is working on the future of the Victorian church St John's, Kates Hill took a significant step forward this week. One of the Midland region’s most prestigious architect’s practices has been approached with a view to advising the Group on feasibility and architectural matters.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Donation of seven artworks increases Wolverhampton’s collections
Wolverhampton Art Gallery will soon be receiving a much welcomed gift in the form of seven drawings by internationally-renowned, British artist Sir Frank Brangwyn.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
A Place in Town: The London Houses of the Earls of Bradford
This caught my eye and may be of interest to you:
Thursday 17 December 2009 at Weston Park. Follow the link to the Weston Park website:
http://www.weston-park.com/events/place-town-london-houses-earls-bradford
Thursday 17 December 2009 at Weston Park. Follow the link to the Weston Park website:
http://www.weston-park.com/events/place-town-london-houses-earls-bradford
ST JOHN'S CHURCH PRESERVATION GROUP DIARY W/C 16.11.09
The Black Country Society support St John's Church Preservation Group in their activities, here is an update:
Thursday 19.11.09 - FUNDRAISING EVENT PLEASE SUPPORT
Ian Sludge Lees top comedian 'Tizwaz' - Charity Auction - Fabulous supper. Sedgley Conservative Club, Hall Street, Sedgley. 7.30pm
Admission £10 pay on the door. All proceeds straight to restoration funds.
RSVP please to savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk
A big thank you to organiser and auctioneer Bill Etheridge.
Saturday 20.11.09 - DUDLEY MARKET 9-4pm
Tombola, tickets, meet us for a chat, drop off loose change collections and donations.
We'd like a few more Saturday helpers - just for a couple of hours each.
GROUNDS CLEARANCE - ring 0787 119 5042 to check - happening on different days now due to light and weather - have to spot our chance.
THANK YOU to the people who turned out for the Andrew Mottram (newly appointed Diocese of Worcester Heritage Building and Community Development Officer) meeting on Thursday 12.11.09 and especial thanks to Quality Hotel Dudley for offering their marvellous facilities and hospitality to host the meeting. We hope we convinced Andrew that we are serious and passionate about saving St John's and that we have plenty of fresh and innovative ideas to create a bright new future.
The PHILIP SOLOMON event also on Thursday 12.11.09 attracted over 100 people on a night with torrential rain. Including a very generous £200 donation handed in on the night we raised £650 for restoration funds during the evening THANKS to PHILIP SOLOMON who gave a fascinating and thought provoking show and event venue sponsors CLUB DUDLEY who made us so welcome and comfortable again. Also to everyone who turned out on such a terrible night to support the event even though it meant getting soaked just from the car to the door.
DON'T FORGET -
Another fabulous fundraising event next Thursday 26.11.09, at the Quality Hotel Dudley, 7.30pm the Dodici Corde Guitar Duo admission £6 pay on the door includes a glass of wine.
Friends United community get together at the Scout Hut, Watsons Green Road, Sunday 29th November 2pm onwards. Beefburgers, home made cakes, tombola, bric a brac sale, activities and music. No admission fee just turn up. All proceeds shared between St John's Church Preservation Group and 7th Dudley Scouts.
Public Update meeting regarding the Future for St John's Church with the St John's Church Steering Group chaired by the Archdeacon on Tuesday 1st December 6.30pm in the Parish Hall, St John's Road everyone welcome.
Thursday 19.11.09 - FUNDRAISING EVENT PLEASE SUPPORT
Ian Sludge Lees top comedian 'Tizwaz' - Charity Auction - Fabulous supper. Sedgley Conservative Club, Hall Street, Sedgley. 7.30pm
Admission £10 pay on the door. All proceeds straight to restoration funds.
RSVP please to savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk
A big thank you to organiser and auctioneer Bill Etheridge.
Saturday 20.11.09 - DUDLEY MARKET 9-4pm
Tombola, tickets, meet us for a chat, drop off loose change collections and donations.
We'd like a few more Saturday helpers - just for a couple of hours each.
GROUNDS CLEARANCE - ring 0787 119 5042 to check - happening on different days now due to light and weather - have to spot our chance.
THANK YOU to the people who turned out for the Andrew Mottram (newly appointed Diocese of Worcester Heritage Building and Community Development Officer) meeting on Thursday 12.11.09 and especial thanks to Quality Hotel Dudley for offering their marvellous facilities and hospitality to host the meeting. We hope we convinced Andrew that we are serious and passionate about saving St John's and that we have plenty of fresh and innovative ideas to create a bright new future.
The PHILIP SOLOMON event also on Thursday 12.11.09 attracted over 100 people on a night with torrential rain. Including a very generous £200 donation handed in on the night we raised £650 for restoration funds during the evening THANKS to PHILIP SOLOMON who gave a fascinating and thought provoking show and event venue sponsors CLUB DUDLEY who made us so welcome and comfortable again. Also to everyone who turned out on such a terrible night to support the event even though it meant getting soaked just from the car to the door.
DON'T FORGET -
Another fabulous fundraising event next Thursday 26.11.09, at the Quality Hotel Dudley, 7.30pm the Dodici Corde Guitar Duo admission £6 pay on the door includes a glass of wine.
Friends United community get together at the Scout Hut, Watsons Green Road, Sunday 29th November 2pm onwards. Beefburgers, home made cakes, tombola, bric a brac sale, activities and music. No admission fee just turn up. All proceeds shared between St John's Church Preservation Group and 7th Dudley Scouts.
Public Update meeting regarding the Future for St John's Church with the St John's Church Steering Group chaired by the Archdeacon on Tuesday 1st December 6.30pm in the Parish Hall, St John's Road everyone welcome.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Women in Focus - Wolverhampton Art Gallery - 14/11/09-6/2/2010
Opening at Wolverhampton Art Gallery this November, Women in Focus examines the changing views of women historically in art and society. Featuring a number of artworks of women from the gallery’s vast collection, it highlights some of the important and influential female figures who helped shape the city of Wolverhampton.
Friday, 30 October 2009
BROADCASTER TAKES HELM AT RADIO GROUP
New Chairman Announced
Local radio presenter Graham Fisher has been appointed as the new Chairman of Stourbridge Radio Group Ltd. which broadcasts across the southern Black Country via its community radio station 102.5 The ’Bridge.
Graham says:
Local radio presenter Graham Fisher has been appointed as the new Chairman of Stourbridge Radio Group Ltd. which broadcasts across the southern Black Country via its community radio station 102.5 The ’Bridge.
Graham says:
‘I am delighted to accept the challenge of this role at a particularly exciting period in the ongoing development of 102.5 The ’Bridge. Community radio is very much in its ascendancy and 102.5 The ’Bridge is increasingly proving itself a major force in the local radio and media scene. My role will include promoting the provenance of 102.5 throughout this area and beyond, and I look forward to seeing increasing awareness and favourable recognition of the marque across all sectors over the forthcoming months.’
Mario Lanza - AJW strikes again
Liz Poole from Halesowen wrote on 28/1/09:
"Hi there, I've just got back from a Halesowen shopping trip..In the recently opened 99p store in the Cornbow Mall I found on a shelf by the body lotions a beer mat signed ajw saying:
"fans? I love em.to them I'm an illusion, a fabulous man of mystery."
Thought you might like to know this, I must say I'm quite pleased I now own one of these great mysteries."
"Hi there, I've just got back from a Halesowen shopping trip..In the recently opened 99p store in the Cornbow Mall I found on a shelf by the body lotions a beer mat signed ajw saying:
"fans? I love em.to them I'm an illusion, a fabulous man of mystery."
Thought you might like to know this, I must say I'm quite pleased I now own one of these great mysteries."
Saturday, 12 September 2009
VOTE MARIO - He (or she) is at it again !!!
Thanks to sharp-eyed Jo Doggett who found this beermat in the magazine rack in the Spar at Crestwood on Sunday 5th June 2009.
Click => here <= to see more examples of AJW's art.
STOP PRESS -
Article and photos in Autumn 2009 magazine
Click => here <= to see more examples of AJW's art.
STOP PRESS -
Article and photos in Autumn 2009 magazine
New book - "Japanned Papier Mache and Tinware" By Yvonne Jones
This book byYvonne Jones is due for publication soon. However, due to the recesssion publication is only possible if sufficient pre-orders are received. Please click >-here-< to find out more information
Winterbourne and GKN
An oral history project discovering the history of the Arts and Crafts house and garden built for John Sutton Nettlefold and his wife Margaret (nee Chamberlain) in 1903 is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Organisers are looking for people to share their stories of living or working at Winterbourne, experiences of working for the Nettlefold firm GKN or memories from Moorpool Estate or Back to Back housing.
Contact Anna on 0121 414 9115 or a.e.keast (at) bham.ac.uk
Winterbourne Botanic Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2RT.
Contact Anna on 0121 414 9115 or a.e.keast (at) bham.ac.uk
Winterbourne Botanic Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2RT.
Dialect poetry Website
Ross Holland recently wrote to me to say he has a website dedicated to publishing original poems in traditional English dialects online. You can find it here...
http://www.freewebs.com/englishdialects
Currently he has poems from most English regions, but as of yet no one has submitted one for the West Midlands. He is keen to get the West Midlands represented on the site.
Ross is an East Midlander myself, though lived in Bromsgrove for a couple of years and worked in Birmingham. He says it is such a contrast to the East Midlands Dialects that it would be fascinating for any budding Black Country Poets to submit an entry.
http://www.freewebs.com/englishdialects
Currently he has poems from most English regions, but as of yet no one has submitted one for the West Midlands. He is keen to get the West Midlands represented on the site.
Ross is an East Midlander myself, though lived in Bromsgrove for a couple of years and worked in Birmingham. He says it is such a contrast to the East Midlands Dialects that it would be fascinating for any budding Black Country Poets to submit an entry.
MAJOR OVERHAUL OF CANAL SOCIETY WEBSITE ANNOUNCED
The website of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society (SWCS) has undergone a major upgrade and is now ‘live.’ Just about every aspect of http://www.swcs.org.uk/ has been refreshed with updated text and images and browsers are presented with a completely rebranded appearance right from the front page onwards.
The website is a ‘work in progress’ spearheaded by SWCS members Dave Hart, SWCS Electronic Communications Officer and Webmaster Andy Walder, of Tech Office Ltd. (Brierley Hill) and is amended or updated on an ongoing basis. However, this latest overhaul offers a dynamic new window onto the activities of one of the most prestigious canal societies in the country which this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Contents include an overview of SWCS and the eponymous canal it represents, details of activities, gatherings and awards, archives, a free-to-access open message board and much more besides. Central to its continuing success is its innovative Education and Resources (E&R) Section. This provides a ‘one stop shop’ for anyone wishing to know more about the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in particular or waterways in general and is linked directly with the on-line reference Wikipedia. The E&R section is aimed directly at educational establishments and has been a major factor in the website already having been ‘hit’ from every continent on the planet.
Immediate Past Chairman of SWCS Graham Fisher MBE says: Dave Hart and Andy Walder are to be congratulated on producing once more a website that is well up there with the big guns. Their design flair, content and accessibility parameters will ensure that the message of SWCS continues to be carried forward. This can only be of benefit to anyone interested in the future of our wonderful inland waterways heritage.’
The website is a ‘work in progress’ spearheaded by SWCS members Dave Hart, SWCS Electronic Communications Officer and Webmaster Andy Walder, of Tech Office Ltd. (Brierley Hill) and is amended or updated on an ongoing basis. However, this latest overhaul offers a dynamic new window onto the activities of one of the most prestigious canal societies in the country which this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Contents include an overview of SWCS and the eponymous canal it represents, details of activities, gatherings and awards, archives, a free-to-access open message board and much more besides. Central to its continuing success is its innovative Education and Resources (E&R) Section. This provides a ‘one stop shop’ for anyone wishing to know more about the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in particular or waterways in general and is linked directly with the on-line reference Wikipedia. The E&R section is aimed directly at educational establishments and has been a major factor in the website already having been ‘hit’ from every continent on the planet.
Immediate Past Chairman of SWCS Graham Fisher MBE says: Dave Hart and Andy Walder are to be congratulated on producing once more a website that is well up there with the big guns. Their design flair, content and accessibility parameters will ensure that the message of SWCS continues to be carried forward. This can only be of benefit to anyone interested in the future of our wonderful inland waterways heritage.’
JEROME K JEROME SESQUICENTENARY (1859 TO 2009)
Jerome K. Jerome, the world-famous author, best known for his immortal classic of English humour, Three Men in a Boat, was born in Walsall 150 years ago on the 2nd May, 1859.
The Jerome K. Jerome Society, based in Walsall, is looking forward to a year of celebrations to mark this momentous anniversary. 2009 is also the 25th anniversary of the Jerome K. Jerome Society. A variety of events are planned including a trip down to Ewelme in Oxfordshire to visit Jerome’s grave and to deliver the coffin-shaped gravestone of his younger brother Milton Melancthon Jerome, who died of whooping cough in Stourbridge in 1862. This pilgrimage will take place on the weekend following the Society’s annual dinner on May 1st – the day before Jerome’s birth date. The annual dinner is always the highlight of the Society’s calendar and this year the Society has been able to persuade Sir Donald Sinden CBE D.Litt to be the guest speaker at the dinner.
The Jerome K. Jerome Society, based in Walsall, is looking forward to a year of celebrations to mark this momentous anniversary. 2009 is also the 25th anniversary of the Jerome K. Jerome Society. A variety of events are planned including a trip down to Ewelme in Oxfordshire to visit Jerome’s grave and to deliver the coffin-shaped gravestone of his younger brother Milton Melancthon Jerome, who died of whooping cough in Stourbridge in 1862. This pilgrimage will take place on the weekend following the Society’s annual dinner on May 1st – the day before Jerome’s birth date. The annual dinner is always the highlight of the Society’s calendar and this year the Society has been able to persuade Sir Donald Sinden CBE D.Litt to be the guest speaker at the dinner.
CARL CHINN BECOMES PATRON OF BMSGH
Well known Historian, Professor Carl Chinn MBE has agreed to be Patron of the Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry (BMSGH).
“I am delighted to become patron of such an important and pioneering body such as the BMSGH” said Carl. “Through its vital work into family history ithas shed light not only on individual families but also on communities and in so doing has enhanced our understanding of local and national history”.
Chris Leigh, Chairman of BMSGH, said: “It is really exciting that Carl Chinn has agreed to become our Patron. He is a very popular speaker who has the ability to combine social history with local history in a unique way, bringing the subject alive for his audience. Carl has always been a active supporter of the work carried out by the Society and its volunteers in transcribing and preserving records”.
Professor Chinn is a well-known broadcaster, writer and public speaker both nationally and locally. His ever popular talks and books cover poverty, housing and urban working-class life in Victorian England both in Birmingham and the Black Country.
“I am delighted to become patron of such an important and pioneering body such as the BMSGH” said Carl. “Through its vital work into family history ithas shed light not only on individual families but also on communities and in so doing has enhanced our understanding of local and national history”.
Chris Leigh, Chairman of BMSGH, said: “It is really exciting that Carl Chinn has agreed to become our Patron. He is a very popular speaker who has the ability to combine social history with local history in a unique way, bringing the subject alive for his audience. Carl has always been a active supporter of the work carried out by the Society and its volunteers in transcribing and preserving records”.
Professor Chinn is a well-known broadcaster, writer and public speaker both nationally and locally. His ever popular talks and books cover poverty, housing and urban working-class life in Victorian England both in Birmingham and the Black Country.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Welcome to our blog
This blog was created on Friday 11 September 2009. The aim is to provide a chronological account of Black Country Society news and information, news of events and news from the region.
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