Wall Heath Community Association Newsletter - Winter 2019

This Newsletter is produced, edited and delivered to your door byVolunteers from Wall Heath Community Association

Registered Charity No. 522810

1

Having long ago made the decision that for the first time in several years we would stage a Craft Fair, any last minute nerves that surfaced about the success of the event were unjustified.Quite naturally we worried that we may have to cope with bad weather and poor attendance, but these worries were unfounded. The Fair was advertised beyond the village boundaries and to our delight it worked! At a conservative estimate almost two hundred people came along not only to view but also to buy some of the high quality merchandise available on the eighteen stalls.As one visitor was heard to say, “I’ve done some Christmas shopping, seen people I haven’t seen for ages and been able to sit and chat with a cup of tea and piece of a tasty cake”.It was certainly a ‘community’ occasion and as a by-product of its success we have received enquiries from people interested in joining some of our groups.We are not too smug to think that everything was perfect and we are aware of where refinements and improvements can be made. We are confident that the Fair will be even better this year and several stall holders have already reserved places for Saturday 30th November.

Edition 15

Wall Heath Horticultural GuildMeets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm.

February 5th Speaker t.b.a.March 5th Annual General MeetingApril 2nd Around the Shows in 80 minutes - Stan GriffinMay 7th Plant Sale - Fish & Chip SupperJune 4th No Plot ... No Problem - Philip AuburyJuly 2nd Aliens in the Garden - Roger Umpleby

Wall Heath Community Association

Wall Heath Flower ClubMeets every 4th Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm with N.A.F.A.S. demonstrators

giving spectacular demonstrations of flower arranging.

January 22nd “Touch of Gold” - Shirley HendersonFebruary 26th AGM and Pot Luck SupperMarch 26th “Inspirations & Creations” - Michael MontecilloApril 23rd “A Perfect Day” - Beverley ArtisMay 21st “A Touch of Romance” - Lorena Dyer

Visitors are always welcome at £6 to include refreshments.

2

Melt butter, add to dry ingredients,mix well.Spread in a lined Swiss Roll tin.Prick all over with a fork.Bake for 45 mins at 150°C /140°C fan assisted.When cooked, sprinkle with a little more caster sugar.Cut into fingers whilst warm.Allow to go cold in the tin.Have you got a favourite recipe you would like to share? Please give it to Karen Page at the Community Centre or email it towallheathcommunityassoc@gmail.com

Shortbread285g (10 oz.) Plain Flour

85g (3 oz.) Ground Rice

85g (3 oz.) Caster Sugar

227g (8 oz.) Butter

Thursday Afternoon ClubThe club meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 2pm,

with guest speakers, illustrated talks, theatre visits and outings.

Wall Heath Community Association

January 17th The Rise and Fall of Witley Court - Ray SturdyFebruary 7th Poetry and Pieces - Glenis DawesFebruary 14th Meal at The Lodge, DudleyFebruary 21st Norfolk Broads Windmills and Churches - Roger HaliwellMarch 7th Charity Bring and BuyMarch 21st What’s in a Name! - Anne ClarkeApril 4th Harvington Hall - Pat GreenApril 18th John Sparry - as himself ... plus Hot Cross BunsMay 2nd Outing ... to be confirmedMay 16th English Civil War in Warwickshire - Max KeenJune 6th Dudley Canal Tunnel - Holly WainJune 20th Churchill Forge Mill - Dave GalleyJuly 4th Singer - Alexandria ... plus Strawberry TeaPlease take note: Check your Calendar / Programme as we are not meeting every week during term time as before, but every 1st and 3rd Thursday in the month.

3

50 Plus Club Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 2pm.January 23rd “The Strangest Laws” - Chris SmithFebruary 13th “Aspects of the First World War” - Mike SampsonFebruary 27th Annual General Meeting - Bring & BuyMarch 13th “Stourbridge Glass ... A History” - Kate RoundMarch 27th “Kinver Rock Houses” - David BillsApril 10th “Origin of Place and Street Names” - Dave Butler-HollingtonApril 24th Entertainment - Singer / Guitarist Alan WestwoodMay 8th “Grandma’s Remedies” - John MobberleyMay 22nd “Clean and Decent - A History of Personal Hygiene” - Nigel MetcalfeJune 12th “The End of the End of the Pier Show” - Neil RobertsJune 26th “Beer, Bets and Bull-Baiting” - Mary BodfishJuly 10th Strawberry Tea with Singer Tanya

4

ValeteFor over ten years, Chris Cornaby has fastidiously ensured that the inside of our buiding has been cleaned to a standard that has been the envy of other Community Centres in the area. Chris has also ensured that the building was always open on time for individuals and organisations who hire the Centre and just as importantly ensured that the building was locked at the end of the hiring time and not left open and unattended. Wall Heath born and bred, Chris has been an important asset to us and we wish her well in her retirement.

Seven years ago our 50 Plus section was in danger of folding because of what is a recurring theme for many societies / organisations, a dearth of persons willing to take on the responsibility of holding office.. Luckily for us, Jan and Colin Storey stepped into the breach and ensured that the section has continued to thrive. Although no longer ‘running the show’, Jan and Colin will continue to attend the Wednesday afternoon meetings.

2018 Poppies Project

When we floated our Poppies Project even the most optimistic amongst us could not have anticipated the response. Over two thousand poppies were produced by so many people, not only by members of the Association but also, most encouragingly, by residents of the village.

The display was masterminded by Linda and Tony Hickman and we thank and congratulate them on their input. The Association has purchased a ‘Silent Soldier’ which formed part of the display. This will be on permanent display on the wall adjacent to the entrance.

SalveteWe welcome aboard Leighsa Allport who has volunteered to become Treasurer of both 50 Plus and also Thursday Club. Thank you Leighsa. Incidentally, Leighsa runs her own Card Making Workshop at the Community Centre on the last Monday of each month at 7pm.

Karen Page, our Community Centre Secretary, has now extended her duties to include the administration and provision of speakers for the 50 Plus Section.

5

How well do you know Wall Heath?Join us on Thursday 30th May at 2pm for a stroll round the village with John Sparry. The cost of £2 per person will include tea and cake at the Community Centre. Places are limited to 25 so apply early to Karen Page at the Community Centre. Tel. 01384 273744, email wallheathcommunityassoc@gmail.com

Happy CentenaryThe Community Association was privileged to host the 100th Birthday celebration for Margaret Butcher which was organised by her daughter Peggy and sons Patrick and Michael. Margaret reached the milestone on 28th November.Margaret was born in Belfast, her mother sadly died from tuberculosis at just 28 years of age. Her father brought her to England and that is where she stayed. Margaret met and married Percy, the family settling in Forge Lane in the late 1950s. For many years Margaret was a member of our Monday afternoon Indoor Bowls Section and was well into her nineties when she made her last appearance ‘on the green’. Despite relegation to a wheelchair, for a woman who used to walk everywhere, she is still thankfully playing with all her marbles.NB: Happy Centenary Ma!” is filed under Butcher’s Blog and the brief history of this remarkable lady is well worth reading. https://www.globerunner.org/11/happy-centenary-ma/

From Bowler to Stroller!David Walker, a regular at our Monday afternoon Bowls Section is playing football for the holders of a National Cup. Hartshill Strollers are WFA Over-65s National Cup Champions - walking football’s equivalent of the FA Cup. Be careful with those hamstrings, David!

Cleaner NeededWall Heath Community Association requires a Cleaner. Hours by arrangement. Duties also include opening and closing the premises for groups using the building. Applications to Karen Page, tel: 01384 273744, email wallheathcommunityassoc@gmail.com or by post to The Community Centre, Enville Road, Wall Heath, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0JT.

6

Our holiday club operates from the Community Centre throughout school holidays for school aged children. Opening times are 8am till 6pm – full days and half days available.

We provide an itinerary of activities / trip days planned in advance so parents are able to choose and select sessions they require. Alongside our itinerary we provide an array of activities and resources such as:

• Board Games • Playdough • Cold Cooking • Team Games • Construction • Role Play (dressing up, shop, vets) • Small World • Arts & Crafts • Books • Playstation • Den Making and much more

Our prospectus is available to view on our website:www.villagebearsnursery.co.uk

If you would like further information, or want to discuss availability, please contact:

• Clare (Part Owner / Holiday Club Manager) – 01384 279 156 • Tina (Holiday Club Deputy) – 07960 618 556 • Email: villagebears@yahoo.co.uk

Village Bears Holiday Club

7

Wall Heath Community Association

AnnualSkittles Evening

atThe Community CentreEnville Road, Wall HeathSaturday 9th March 2019

7.00 pmTickets £7.00 each

includes mini-fish & chipsContact Karen Page on

01384 273744Bring your own

Drinks and Glasses

AnnualGeneral MeetingTuesday 12th March 2019

11.00 amAttendance is open to all members of Wall Heath Community Association.Annual membership costs£2 per person and entitles

members to attendall Sections organised by

the Association.

Christmas Draw - WinnersThank you for supporting this important fund raising event.

The winners were:0679 Mark Jones £1000705 Jacky Standish Family Voucher to Dudley Zoo0222 Tim Millan £25 Ashwood Nurseries Voucher0149 Pam Baker Tea for Two at Ashwood Nurseries0178 Barry Slack Whisky0143 Cynthia Priest Christmas Cake0658 Joan Dando Sherry0162 Mary Hickman Wall Heath Beauty Rooms Voucher0331 Ann Webster Wine0610 Mona Martin Chocolates0121 Janet Pardoe Box of Biscuits0084 Bob Harbon Plant

8

Wall Heath Community Association Registered Charity No. 522810

To enquire about booking the hall or for further information regarding any of the groups please contact:Karen Page Tel: 01384 273744 E-mail: wallheathcommunityassoc@gmail.com

What’s happening in your Community Centre, at a glance!

Wall Heath Community Centre, Enville Road, Wall Heath DY6 0JT.Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11.00 am - 12.30 pm

Monday 10.00am Age UK Short Mat Bowls (1st & 3rd Monday) 10.00am Age UK Kurling (2nd & 4th Monday) 10.30am Crafty Chatters 2.00pm Short Mat Bowls Club 5.00pm Taekwon-do 7.00pm Card Making Workshop (Last Monday) 8.00pm Ballroom/Latin Dance Classes (Adult)

Tuesday 10.30am Sergeant Pepper’s Friendship Club 2.00pm Kurling 7.30pm Horticultural Guild (1st Tuesday) 7.30pm Musicians Club (2nd Tuesday) 7.30pm Flower Club (4th Tuesday)

Wednesday 10.15am Tai Chi - Active Seniors 2.00pm Fifty Plus Club (2nd & 4th Wednesday) 5.00pm Contemporary Dance (Ages 3-16 yrs)

Thursday 9.45am & 11.00am Active Seniors 2.00pm Thursday Afternoon Club (1st & 3rd Thursday)

7.30pm Flower ArrangingFriday 5.00pm Taekwon-do 7.30pm Line Dancing

Saturday 8.30am Slimming World

Sunday 1.00pm Liberate Youth Theatre (Ages 4-16 yrs)

DAY TIME ACTIVITY

www.wallheathcommunitycentre.co.uk