Monday, July 6, 2009

Driver in crash tragedgy is named

A motorist killed when his VW Golf car collided with a Bentley carrying pup;is on their way home from a school prom in Aldridge was named today. Harry George Wragg,aged 20,died at the scence of the tragedy on Saturday in Walsall Wood Road,Aldridge. The driver,who lived in the Stonnall area was traveling towards Walsall when the collision with the chauffeur driven Silver Bentley Contintental Flying Spur carrying pupils from Aldridge Science College happened.   Two of the group suffered bruises in the accident at about 1.25am near the junction in Noddy Park Road,Aldridge.The 33 - year old driver of the Bentley was unhurt.The boys were on their way home from Caulderfields Golf club.   Today the schools head David Moutney said "Three of our boys were in the car and came away with bruises,but are very upset by what happened. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 10:38:56 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Aldridge Dance Group

An Aldridge dance group is limbering up to perform at the towns annual Summer fair later this month.Performers from Jo - Leigh School of Dance are getting ready to entertain the hundreds of people expected to descend on Anchor Meadow on June 20th. Disco,rock and roll,cheerleading and hip hop routines will be on show from around 50 of the groups performers,aged from three to 17. Jo Tolley,principle of Jo -leigh,said "It promises to be a great event and the pupils have been practicsing hard" organised by the Aldridge Lions club the fair is one of the most successful events in the town's calender. Clyde Redfern,Lions Club President said "The fair together with our Christmas collections is one of the major events for the club.It is aimed at the many charity groups in the area who are able to attend the fair and raise much needed cash for their own funds.       # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 10:28:59 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Cricket captain in pitch collapse

The captain of Aldridge Cricket Club had to be rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch. Andy Bowers was taken to Russell Hall Hospital,Dudley after collapsing at Wombourne on Saturday. He was later discharged. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 9:25:13 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Driver dies in collosion with prom pupil's car.

A driver was killed in the early hours today when his VW Golf car was in collision with a Bentley carrying pupils on their way home from a school prom. The unnamed man,aged 20,died at the scence of the tradegy in Walsall Wood Road,Aldridge,despite efforts by fire crew and ambulance crews to save him.Two of the four male passengers in the chaffeur driven silver Bentley Contintal Flying Spur suffered minor injuries in the accidentwhich happened at 1.25am near the junction with Noddy Park Road,The33 year old chauffeur was unhurt. Fire crew commander Phil James said it was not known which school the pupils attended but they were returning from an end of year celebration in the Bentley.   "It was a sad way for them to end the night and this is a prom they will never forget" he said.We were the first on the scence,two of us pulled the driver out of the VW Golf and tried to revive him until the ambulance team arrived.Unfortunately he died at the scence.The Golf was travelling towards Walsall and the Bentley was travelling in the opposite direction.   An ambulance service spokesman said the injured passengers made their own way to hospital. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 8:28:44 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Aldridge dancers win medals.

Young dancers from Aldridge dance school have won a clutch of medals.The dancers all train at Dance City,Walsall Wood Road,Aldridge and took part in the Emerald Dance Festival in Birmingham.Between them they won 11 golds,seven silver and six bronze medals.The dancers performed a routines which included ballet and tap,performed solos,duets and trio's.There are around 140 members at the dance school aged from four to adult.Dance City owner,Tracey Dicken said "I am very proud of them all.They won lots of medals and danced brillantly.They are very dedicated to dancing and love every minute of it,and we are hoping for more success in future competitions. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 8:13:48 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

MP has eye on speaker's spot.

Aldridge - Brownhills MP Richard Shepherd has his eye on the role as speaker of the House of Commons but believes a lack of support will curtail his ambitions. Mr Shepherd said he would be honoured to get the role but expects to feel the repercussions of his attack on speaker Michael Martin.Bookies are offering odds of 14/1 on Mr Shepherd becoming the next speaker but he believes the odds should be much longer and does not expect to gain enough support. "I was one of the MP's who called for Mr Martin to step down,so it is unlikely the support will be there for me.   # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 8:06:19 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Number is up for Bingo hall

Gala venue facing the axe in cut backs. Gala bingo hall in Aldridge could be shut in a wave of national closures,it was announced this afternoon.The UK's biggest bingo opearotor Gala Coral said the club in Anchor Road was one of five it planned to close,putting around 300 jobs at risk nationwide.The firm said it is looking to make savings and would begin consultation with staff tomorrow.It is not known how many jobs are under threat at Aldridge and workers refused to comment today.The company has blamed the tough economic climate as well as a bingo duty hike in April's Budget. Halls have also been hit hard by the smoking ban,which was blamed for forcing the closure of Mecca Bingo in Wolverhampton in 2007.Other clubs at risk are in Hull,Glasgow,Fife and Essex. An announcement was due to be made to staff and regulars in Aldridge when it opened at 19.00pm. The hall was once the Avion cinema and has been hailed in the past as an example of fine architecture.Built in the 1930's it is an example of the Moderne style,with cream and green horizontal stripes. Aldridge councillor Tom Ansell said "It will be a tragic loss in the community.It was well used and its a listed building. We will certainly want to keep it in use,so if Gala is leaving hopefully some one else will move in.     # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/6/09; 7:58:32 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]