Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Go back to school call

Parents are invited to go back to school following the opening of a schools new building.   The new building at Walsall Wood JMI,in Brownhills Road has already been hosting,adult education classes and the schools Stay and Play sessions for pre - school youngsters and their parents.Robert Trawford,head teacher at the school said the building had been proving a big success since it opened this term.He added that it would also be used for activities including anti - smoking and healthy eating sessions,   call 01543-452664 for further information. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 4/8/09; 1:43:50 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Lions roar thanks after raising more than £3,300

Aldridge Lions praised the generoisty of Aldridge residents after a credit crunch defying sum of money was raised over the festive season.The Aldridge and District Lions Club held three bucket collections in December,raising in excess of £3,300.They collected at three super markets in the weekends leading up to Christmas and we are so grateful to the residents of Aldridge and surrounding areas for their generoisty said Clive Redfern,president of the club.We were concerned this year because of the financial squeeze on peoples spending and thought the amount being donated would be noticeably reduced.How ever,this did not seem to bethe case and people were as generous as in previous years and we are thrilled with the amount we have collected.All the proceeds from the collections are used for charitable purposes for a wide range of needs in Aldridge and elsewhere.   For further information visit www.aldridgelions.com # - Dusan Popratnjak - 4/8/09; 1:36:02 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Player signs cook book

A former Aston Villa player will be dropping into a Aldridge cafe  to sign copies of a charity cook book.   Gary Shaw will be at Simply Delicious in Aldridge on February 18th to sign copies of Villa on Plate,featuring a host of recipes from past and present players,managers,celebrity supporters and club VIP's.   All profits from the book willgo to the Acorns Childrens Hospice.Sarah Anderton ,managing director of Simply Delicious said "As well as selling the Celebrity cook book Villa on a Plate,we also plan to cook some of of the fantastic recipes from it which will become part of of Daily Specials menu. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 4/8/09; 1:35:25 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Head is leaving school

The Head Teacher of a local secondary school is to step down. Tony Harrison leaves Aldridge School at the end of the Easter term and will be replaced by David Mountney,currently principal of Thorns Community College,Quarry Bank,Dudley. Mr Harrison said "I am leaving to pursue new opporttunities in consultancy and the intrim leadership and management of schools"   # - Dusan Popratnjak - 4/8/09; 1:28:52 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Eleanor opens new business in her home town.

Swimming star Eleanor Simmonds MBE was on hand to open a new business in her home town.The 14 year old was asked by Ross Warwood and David Murphy to cut the ribbon on their new hair salon in High Street Aldridge. The 23 year olds met when they were pupils at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School in Sutton Coldield.They have remained firm friends and set up Lime in High Street,bringing with it nine jobs for hair dressers and beauticians. Eleanor officially launched the new venture on Saturday along with Mayor Walsall Councillor Tom Ansell.While hair dresser Ross will be responsible for the day to day running of the salon,David an accountant will advise on the finances. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/21/09; 8:49:50 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Local head teacher retires

A dedicated head teacher from Aldridge has finally ditched marking books and retired.Popular head teacher Margaret Fielder retired from teaching at Whetstone Field Primary School at the end of last term. Mrs Fielder became head teacher at the Aldridge School in 2000,having served previously as deputy head teacher at the school,she is now planning to dedicate her time to her role as secretary for Walsall RSPCA. The children bid good bye to 61 year old Mrs Fielder just before breaking up for Christmas by performing a special rendition of the ABBAS song Mama Mia.Mrs Fielder said It has been really sad to say good bye - I love the school so much. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/21/09; 8:31:52 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Lions roar thanks after raising more than £3,300

Aldridge Lions praised the generoisty of Aldridge residents after a credit crunch defying sum of money was raised over the festive season.The Aldridge and District Lions Club held three bucket collections in December,raising in excess of £3,300.They collected at three super markets in the weekends leading up to Christmas and we are so grateful to the residents of Aldridge and surrounding areas for their generoisty said Clive Redfern,president of the club.We were concerned this year because of the financial squeeze on peoples spending and thought the amount being donated would be noticeably reduced.How ever,this did not seem to bethe case and people were as generous as in previous years and we are thrilled with the amount we have collected.All the proceeds from the collections are used for charitable purposes for a wide range of needs in Aldridge and elsewhere.   For further information visit www.aldridgelions.com # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/21/09; 8:19:59 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Health News

Click here to read news on various local health issues. (Then click on to start download) this is thelocal information related to you. Find out about the LINk project here. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/21/09; 7:10:29 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Friday, January 9, 2009

Air of mystery for high flying artist

An Aldridge artist has won a champagne balloon flight after she took part in an opticians competition to find some super specs. Christine Capewell of Lazyhill Road,entered Colin Lee's Retro Specs with a huge pair of glases she had worn in 1974 to help add an air of mystery to her look. Mrs Capewell had been a young art teacher at the time and believed the over sized specs which have a special tint helped give her confidence.I hid behind them a little bit,but also,I  thought they added an air of mystery to me,espicially with the darkened lilac tint.They were much better than Deidre Barlows,they were designer specs and cost over £75,which was about 2 weeks wages at the time.Mrs Capewell,who has been a customer at Colin Lees Opticians for 12 years,was able to choose fromthree experience days as her prize,and opted for the balloon flight to help celebrate her aniversary.Iam not a great flyer,but I knew my husband Steve would love this, so we will try and take the flight in April,close to our anniversary.This year will be the 10th,and we did not do much to celebrate so this is perfect. Colin Lee Director,Clive Marchant said it had been a close run competition,but he liked the story behind Christines specs,as well as the fact they had given every one a giggle.We hoped to get some flash backs to the 70's with the competition and even managed to find a winning pair which out dated the company.The Retro specs competition was run across Colin Lee's seven shops as part of the companys 30th anniversary celebrations,with the aim of finding frames which were funny or unusual.It was also designed to high light Vision Aid Overseas,a charity helping people with vision difficulties in third world countries. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/9/09; 6:31:21 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

First winner of the Chronicals Snap happy contest

An amateur photographer from Aldridge who has been taking pictures for nearly 50 years is the first Chronicles Snap Happy competition winner. Mr Michael Tunnicliffes shot of two lovers at Barr Beacon Nature Reserve beat off stiff competition from photographers around the region.The 62 year old works two days a week at County Bridge school in Bentley,teaching art,dance and history.However,he plans to retire next August and take up photography as a full time hobby.He said "Ive always been in to photography and Ive been taking pictures since I was 14,with a cheap old 35mm camera.I like taking "street" photographs,like this one.Pictures taken by chance are always the best ones .As a youngster Mr Tunnicliffe studied the old Wednesbury school of photography from 1963-1965.After he completed the training programme,Mr Tunnicliffe got a job as an industrial photographer at Lucas firm in Birmingham,taking snaps of fuel pumps for Rolls Royce jet engines.He has never given up on photography though and was shocked and delighted to win this competition. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/9/09; 6:10:05 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]