Aldridge Village website in Walsall west midlands uk Aldridge village website in the west midlands UK Aldridge Newsletter December 2006
 

Welcome to the Aldridge Newsletter, December 2006

There is a lot of new information here, which i am confident that very few people are likely to have read or heard about, covering development plans for the future of Aldridge, in addition to local issues, and information. There's a number of opportunities for you to influence what goes on in Aldridge, through your local LNP meetings,and CAG, but more of that later.

You are always welcome to forward this to friends and contact me with any comments.

First, i would like to pass on the seasons best wishes for a Merry Christmas from Richard Sheppard MP and councillor John Rochelle, who have expressed their admiration for the Aldridge community, both business and residents, who demonstrated such a strong community spirit and made the Christmas tree Appeal a success story. I would add that, I am heartened that so many people worked so hard to make this happen, and feel that there is now a growing, more visible number of people who wish to have a say and contribute to daily life in Aldridge.

It appears that contributions collected and oustanding pledges, for the Christmas tree, will indeed cover the £860 costs, so a very big thankyou to everyone, it may be January before Councillor Rochelle has the final figure, which may include a small surplus that we could set aside for the next tree. I have already made enquiries about a live tree to be planted on the Elms traffic island, so we don't have to cut a tree every year, and thus reduce the future cost too. Next year we will also put LED lights up, which allow a much better display in both terms of numbers of lights and coverage of the tree, which are not limited in the same way as the existing lights for safety reasons. The Tree was also replaced via Walsall Council at our request, as the original was a little "weary" and the new one reflects much better the pride of Aldridge.

Enjoy your Newsletter below, and have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !
Alan Neath, (Aldridge website)


Over 50 shops on-line here...
...a great way to find bargains !

Have you read the Development plans for Aldridge ?
Will there be a train station, new car parks, improved shopping area, housing, facilities,and pedestrian zones ?
Development plan for Aldridge

Local Development Framework


"Aldridge Lions Club" wish you a Merry Christmas and invites you to become a new member
Olan Mills ( Aldridge ) ceased trading, and have now closed and are unable to fulfil any outstanding orders or appointments.more information on the Website here


The "Avion" super Cinema De-Lux in Aldridge, was opened by George Formby, in 1938, designed by Architect Roland Satchwell. It seated 1000 people, with tickets priced at 6d. to 1s. 6d, with shows running Continuous from 2 p.m. daily. It also presented occasional Variety performances, on the stage measuring 30ft. x 15ft with just two dressing-rooms. It's original telephone number was Aldridge 52312. It closed in 1967 and has been well known as a Bingo hall since. Some of the original art-deco features are still visible, such as the large stained glass windows above the canopy front entrance.

It also shares something in common with Aldridge police station, when the Council added both to the historic buildings list in October 2006. Walsall Council heritage experts included them on the special local list, giving permanent protection to interesting, local historic and architecturally valued buildings. Council officers are keen to add the buildings to the list which fall outside of designated conservation areas, giving them a degree of protection when planning applications are made for work on the properties.


"VW Bilbo Weekender Camper Van & Trailor Tent " a bargain priced... For Quick Sale

Win 12 bottles of "Don Plaeero" Rioja 2005 Christmas Rotary Club Quiz


Visit the Barnard Family "charity Christmas light display" In Support of Acorns Hospice


Phil Allen is pleased to announce Aldridge Chiropody has now expanded it's practice, and wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas !


Help to protect rare animal species, with the :Plough and Harrow pub :

770 Chester Road
Aldridge West Midlands WS9 0LR
Tel: 01922 457847

Just launched, this is a "Wildlife Trust" Gift Scheme, where customers can make a range of pledges including the protection of many endangered creatures, such as the Puffin and Otter.

Pub landlord, Pete Trueman said: "It's so difficult to come up with unusual gifts year after year. We thought this scheme would be a great present for those people who are just impossible to buy for, while supporting a very good cause at the same time."

Anna Guthrie, spokesperson for the Wildlife Trust, said she is delighted the Plough and Harrow was backing the campaign.

She said: "All the schemes offer a really good way to engage people in great causes when perhaps another present might only have a short shelf-life.

"We also offer the option of purchasing single, couple or family memberships which enable people to get involved with events and Wildlife Trust sites throughout the area.


Plans to improve Aldridge war memorial. and your chance to review and comment.

Officers from the local authority are consulting with Aldridge South and Streetly Local Neighbourhood Partnership on the proposals as part of the council's strategic regeneration framework programme.

Officers met with members of the partnership on Monday 11th December to discuss plans to illuminate the memorial and restore its stonework.

Principle regeneration officer Cherry Shine said: "We want Aldridge and Streetly people to let us know what they think of the proposals.

As people may wish to comment on the proposals I want to make sure that I receive all comments so that I can respond if necessary (and make appropriate changes to the enhancement works).The plans are also on display in Aldridge Library from 14th December till 5pm of 18th December for comment. All comments will be gratefully received before 2nd January 2007.

The plans are available in a PDF from this link

Cherry Shine may be contacted by email

or by Tel: 01922 652537.

You may also write to: Cherry Shine,
Principal Regeneration Officer,
Walsall Council,
Civic Centre,
Darwall Street,
Walsall,
WS1 1TP.


Do you wish to know, and express your views, about what happens in Aldridge today and the future ?

LNP and CAG meetings are a very good place to start if you are interested in the Aldridge area.

Aldridge South & Streetly LNP report minutes of all meetings

Aldridge North & Walsall wood LNP report minutes of all meetings


Six year old Elliot Bennett from Aldridge, was among a group of 10 youngsters honoured by the Duchess of Cornwall in December for their courage in overcoming adversity. In recognition of their achievements they were presented with medals at the Woman's Own Children of Courage awards in Westminster Abbey. Elliot has undergone 55 operations for the rare brain disease Sturge-Weber Syndrome, which causes the blinding eye condition glaucoma, which means Elliot has to live with two tiny tubes in his eye, drip-feeding medication.


Aldridge Running Club: Kindly contributed by Liam Bradley

Aldridge Running Club has been well establshed in Aldridge for over twenty years and is based at the "Stick and Wicket " cricket and hockey clubs.

The club meets each Tuesday at 7.15 and there are runs from one to nine miles, depending on what members want and what they are training for. There is a strong emphasis on safety for all members, for both men and women, so training runs are supported by running marshals.

Members compete, as a matter of course, in many events including the big international marathons such as London and New York and have arranged for groups of runners to run in the Paris and Barcelona Marathons. There are Men's and women's cross country teams and these compete in leagues.

ARC is very much a social club as well as a running club. Ages of runners range from their twenties to over seventy, so it is ,nearly, "A club for all ages." The emphases within the club, is to run and also have a good social life. It is very much part of the club ethos to hire transport, run a race in the morning and have lunch and libations on the way home.

This is very much a local club and new members are always very welcome !

ARC has been a steady supporter of local initiatives, and it's members were actively involved in helping fund the Christmas tree in Aldridge.

Karen Waple is running the London Marathon next year for "Action Heart" and will have to raise £ 700.

Karen is looking for a sponsorship and may be contacted on 01922 457760. or 07729278003.
and by E-mail


Jo & Mark Yarnall, who run PROUD in Aldridge, invite you to buy the 2007 "PROUD" Charity Calendars which
Supporting Downs syndrome Children

Greetings from Suzanne Ursell, Manager, Heart Care. The Rotary Club of Aldridge has organised a tree, situated in the entrance to Morrisons, Aldridge, illuminated with hundreds of lights to commemorate a special event or remembering a loved one.

If anyone would like to 'own' a light you can complete a form, available at Morrisons, giving a donation of £5 and dedicating the light accordingly. You can also give your donation via the Charity Fundraising website "Justgiving" which provides a secure facility for you to leave your message and to pay be credit or debit card. Just go to the website or access this from , the Rotary website

All donations will be shared between Walsall Heart Care and Cancer Research UK. Walsall Heart Care is a local charity dedicated to helping people with coronary heart disease, providing a unique programme of monitored physical exercise and expert advice.

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research; their groundbreaking work on all aspects of cancer is helping people beat it every year.


The Owen Motoring Club: Kindly submitted by Mark Barnes

Based at Aldridge Social Club

presented a cheque on the 13/12/06 for the County Air Ambulance at the annual Christmas party of the Owen Motoring Club.

The cheque was for £1000, raised from all the events the motor club puts on in the year ranging from our classic car run to our main event the Agbo stage rally at Weston Park where the photo shows the two main fund raisers: Mrs V Langridge & Miss Clare Bird & our treasurer Mr Peter Walker (on the left) presenting the cheque to the representative from the County Air Ambulance.

THE NEXT EVENT for Owem M C is on the 27th Dec 2006 THE SLITHERING SANTA PRODUCTION CARS AUTOTEST ! A fun club event this one. A forwards only autotest designed for the ordinary club member to take part. Held at Curborough, near Lichfield, this event sees many members who don't normally compete having a go. Cars taking part are a great variety from some rally cars to mums shopping car. A great event "to have a go" for the first time.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME AND HAVE A LOOK IT STARTS AT 9.45 TO 14,00 ON THE 27TH Dec 2006more info here

The last event was run with a class for 14 to 17 year olds to take part with a qualified driver to assist, and the award went to a young lady of 16, so Jo is now about to book a day at Silverstone Rally school for juniors.


Aldridge Youth Theatre tickets now on sale for: The pantomime “Babes in the Wood” with performences on:
  • 12th/13th/18th/19th/20th/25th/26th/27th, of January 2007 at 7:30pm.
    Plus 3 matinees at 2:30pm on the 13th/20th and 27th.
    Box office details and ticket prices are avilable from
    Theatre website

    Visit Aldridge website by clicking here



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