Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tesco helps.

A new store in Aldridge has made a kind donation to a Walsall charity before opening its doors to the public. A Tesco Express opens in Paddock Lane on Thursday,November 6th,and to celebratethe opening,it donated £500 to Walsall Hospice. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 9:40:37 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Off - licence terror for female staff.

Thugs threatened two female shop assistants before escaping with cash and cigarettes from an Aldridge off- licence. Police are appealing for witnesses following the robbery at Threshers on the High Street,at around 22.00pm. The two offendes threatened the assistants,aged 20 and 26,and demanded cash.No weapons were seen and the women were not injured,but they were shaken by their ordeal.The men escaped on foot with cash and cigarettes. The first offender is described as a black man,of stocky build,believed to be around 6ft 3in tall or possibly taller,and he was wearing dark clothing with his face covered. The second offender also wore all dark clothing and had his face covered.He was described as black,or possibly mixed race. Any one with information is urged to contact the robbery team at Walsall on 0845 113 5000 # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 9:34:16 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Teddy theft

More than £500 worth of teddy bears were stolen from an Aldridge shop over the weekend. Smart Ideas-Hall mark Cards was targeted between 17.00pm on Saturday and 08.15am on Monday. Theives stole a large quantity of "Tatty Teddy" bears worth £500,a safe worth £100 and a limited edition,motorised Blue Nose bear worth £300. Any one with information should contact the robbery team on 0845 113 5000   # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 9:25:03 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Inquiry over quarry firm's road scheme.

Residents protest at land deal which includes luxery homes. A public enquiry over proposals to build a new development of luxery homes in Aldridge,as part of efforts by a quarry firmto fund the construction of a new road,is to take place.The hearing is over plans by the owners of Bliss Sand & Gravel Co Ltd to create an alternative road close to the site in Branton Hill Road in a land deal which involves building luxery homes.Residents last month set up a series of road blocks at the gates of the quarry in protest over the number of lorries passing their homes to the site. Walsall Council has revealed the two - day hearing is due to begin on November 3rd.The enquiry was initially set to start in July,but was delayed due to legal issues and a strike by Walsall Council workers.Residents from both Branton Hill Lane and Little Aston Road have complained to the council about the high traffic levels and the company is hoping a positive outcome from the inquiry would go towards helping to resolve the dispute.Councillors last November gave the go ahead to the homes plan despite a warning by planning officers their decisions could lead to a costly public enquiry.Officers had recommended the scheme for 24 houses and a new access road linking to the A452 Chester Road to be rejected. But the members of the development control committee disagreed and saidthe new road would take traffic away from Branton Hill Road and ease the problems.They voted unanimously for theproject to go ahead.Around 200 lorry movements a day use the existing route and resident Philip Mountfield,aged 68 said "enough is enough". # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 9:14:03 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Vandals wreck speed camera.

Vandals have wrecked a Gatso speed camera on the Aldridge/Streetly boundary in a determined attack over a two -night period. Neighbours reported a group of youths,who pulled up in a van,attacking the camera - one of five on a one mile stretch of the A 452 Chester Road - with hammers on Tuesday night. Then on Thursday night fire men were called out to deal with the same camera which had been set ablaze at around 22.00pm.A nearby householder said " This one's an active camera,its going off all the time.Probably some one clocked up three points too many and decided to take revenge.The cameras straddle the boundary between Aldridge and Streetly.The vandalised camera is situated on the south bound lane,just before the Foley Road cross road where the speed limit is restricted to 30mph. The cameras,which are owned by the Department of Transport,and cost £24,000 to replace,were erected less than five years ago on a long straight stretch of road which had been notorious for speeding. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 8:40:54 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Romance in the air.

A romantic actor gave the performance of his life when he proposed to his long term girl friend on stage following a show. Alex Howell,aged 23 was the happiest man around Aldridge Youth theatre when his girl friend Beth Le Gresley accepted his proposal in front of cast,crew and a delighted audience.Alex had spent months organising the moment,which came following the end of the Walsall - based Circle Players performing of We Love You Arthur. Beth,also 23 was originally from Essex,was in the audience offering her support but had no idea about Alex's plans.At the end of the play the cast took their curtain call and then Alex stepped forward and asked the audience to wait just a minute as he had something extra to do.He then led Beth from her seat and on to the stage where he traditionally got down on one knee,produced an engagement ring from his pocket and popped the question. Alex group sales manager at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham,said "I am still coming down from the moment really and I can not believe she said yes.Beth always said if I was to ever propose I would have to do it in front of a lot of people but I think she meant in a restaurant.I don't think she expected that though. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 8:30:16 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Why can't we fish at pool ?

An Aldridge pensioner who has fished The  Swag in Stubbers Green Road since he was a  boy of five is demanding to know why anglers have been banned.Bill Williams aged 75,of Westgate says all he wants to do is take his grandson fishing on the small lake he has known all of his life.But he claims council officials told him he can not because of a rare flower which grows there. The former entertainer and comedian says The Swag was being fished up until two years ago.There are now signs up saying no fishing and I rang the council to ask why. After being passed from one council official to another,I was told that there was rare water plants there which meant I can't fish it.I amdisabled and The Swag is very close to my home and I need to park close by the waters edge.Mr Williams said the pool was already used by members of the Aldridge Yacht Club whose club house is at the west end of the pool. I am a very responsible angler,I have always had a fishing licence and always clean up after myself and take away disused tackle.I can't see why i can not sit there with my grandson,smoking a pipe and fishing it in my remaining years.But Walsall Council officials have denied they told Mr Williams the pool was home to a rare plant. A statement by Walsall Council said fishing had been banned for many years because the pool is a site of specia; scientific interest (SSSI) and the council is required to protect it.The authority said it had advised Mr Williams he could fish the Pelsall canal where he could park close to the towpath. The statement added the gentleman was happy with the advice he was given and we are suprised that he now appears to be saying otherwise two months later. We are happy to talk to him again if he wants further clarification. When asked why the pool was used for sailing,a spokeswoman for the council said boats did less damage to the environment. But the authority could not explain why The Swag was an SSSI. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 11/19/08; 8:04:27 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]