Monday, January 5, 2009

All - aboard for pantomine

Pantomime fans are set for an island adventure at a theatres latest production.Tickets are on sale for Aldridge Youth Theatres (AYT) pantomime and this year it is the senior and junior groups performing Robinson Crusoe. The AYT pantos have been running for 20 years,and this is the eighth script written by Neville Ellis. Performance of Robinson Crusoe start on January 16 and 17,with further shows on 22,23,24,29,30,and 31.Curtain is up at 19.30pm,with Saturday matinees at 14.30pm. Tickets cost £8 and £7 concessions. Linda Symonds,spokesperson for Aldridge Youth Theatre,based in Noddy Park Road,said "It should be a really entertaining pantomine and every one is really looking forward to it. The box office on 01922-458615,is open Mondays and Thursdays for two hours from 19.00pm and 10.30am - noon on Saturdays. . # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/5/09; 10:30:44 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

High spot set for panoramic landmark disc

A panoramic disc showing landmarks and features seen from one of Aldridges highest vantage points is to be created. People across the borough have the chance to have their say on what appears on the discs which will eventually go on display at Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve. Visitors can help decide what goes on the disc during a walk around the attraction on Wednesday from 10.00am to noon.It has been organised by Walsall Council's countryside services,along with the Rotary Club of Aldridge and the Barr Beacon Trust. Councillor Adrian Andrew,chairman of Barr Beacon Trust,said the original panoramic disc and a replacement had both been lost. Any one interested in attending the walk should call senior countryside officer Diana West on 01922- 459813 for more details. The plan is part of a wider £24,000 grant funded project,paid for by Ibstock Cory Environmental through Landfill Communities Fund. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/5/09; 10:18:25 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Swan Pool in Aldridge

Visitors to one of Aldridges wild life havens will be better informed thanks to a new display. An information board has been installed at Swan Pool in Aldridge. Walsall Council's senior countryside ranger Eric Clarke,who is responsible for the site said "The new sign shows visitors a selection of some of the more common birds to be seen on the twopools together with some interesting facts about them.It also explains how the pools come to be here and gives important advice on feeding the birds.Eric added "Visitors may not realise it but feeding ducks,geese and other water fowl with bread and other food scraps here and on pools else were may do the birds more harm than good. This is because bread does not contain the right nutrients the birds need.So if you really want to feed the birds at any pond or lake,please use only wild bird seed or better still dont feed them at all. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/5/09; 7:52:13 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Poppyfield Appeal

Residents in Aldridge can share memories of their loved ones on a special Christmas tree.The Rotary Club of Aldridge have put the tree in the entrance of Morrisons supermarket in Anchor Road.Memories and dedications have been posted around the tree and people can also dedicate a light to their loved ones,while making a donation at the same time.Funds will go to the Poppyfield Appeal and Heart Care in Walsall and Streetly. Representatives from both charities were at the switch on,including 5 year old Poppy Guilder,who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 14 months old. Roy Mason president of the Rotary Club said "We appreciate the support from Morrisons and I am pleased to say we have already received many moving donations.The two charities do so much to help in our health and well - being and we are very excited about the community initiative.We are looking forward to the lights twinkling throughout the Christmas period,sharing memories of loved ones with the local community.Any one wanting to make their own donation,or a donation to either charity can obtain a form from Morrisons store in Aldridge. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/5/09; 7:42:44 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Club to be at heart of village again.

Centre will get a revamp. Bosses at a thriving Aldridge community centre have vowed to remodel their 1960's base,making it the hub of the village once more.Aldridge Community Centre has been granted permission to build a new bar and an extension. The Middlemore Lane Centre,which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary,hopes to be able to attract a wider clientele and stage a broader range of events.Jean Ash,who helps run the community centre,said it was good to see some thing thriving amid the economic downturn. "We are doing very well" she said.On Saturday evenings we have parties and celebrations and things like that.We want to move the bar out of the current location and create a lounge on the side of the building,with thick carpets,because we have physically handicap clinics from the hospital and it will be much better for them. Mrs Ash added "We can move the bar to the other end of the building and we willhave folding doors between the new hall and extension.This willmean when we do have parties,we can push them back and people who do not wish to dance can move away from it all.We hope it will attract more people in.The centre is currently used for a range of community acxtivities including Tai Kwon Do,an art school and yoga. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/5/09; 7:27:38 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Reveller injured in street assualt

A New Year reveller was left with a fractured skull and facial injuries after an attack in Aldridge.The 58 - year old victim was assualted in the early hours of yesterday in Middlemore Lane by up to three other men,police believe. Neighbours called police who arrived to find a man with serious injuries who was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.He suffered a fractured skull and facial injuries  but was said to be in a stable condition today. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack at around 1.40am.It is believed the victim was attacked by up to three men as he walked along the road with a friend.A 28 year old man has been arrested in connection wth the assault.  A second 23 year old man has also been arrested and has been bailed.Detective Sergeant Dave Reynolds said "Inquiries are ongoing and we are also investigating an earlier report of disorder at a house party in Middlemore Lane."We would like to hear from any one who saw the attackin particular we would like to trace a girl who we believe was in the area at the time and may have vital information".   Any one with information can contact CID at Walsall on 0845-113 50000.   # - Dusan Popratnjak - 1/5/09; 7:12:39 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]