Author: NeighboursNewsperson

Neighbours News is a non-profit voluntary organisation, formally constitued as a group since September 1999 on the Castle & Priory Ward in Dudley. We produce community newsletters for residents. As of 2004, we have expanded to other areas (most of which are in high deprivation). We want to get a community newsletter for Brierley Hill circulating, because there is interest, however we need to find any potential funders and anyone who might be interested in sponsoring an edition. High Arcal School in Sedgley has sponsored an edition of the Oval & Tudor News in Upper Gornal, for example. We remove the official language and put it in plain English for people to understand, keeping them informed about local issues, training and job opportunities, developments, town centre events, etc. Our local distribution is carried out by community groups and the print group we use trains people with learning difficulties. We are based on the Pensnett Trading Estate, having relocated offices, due to the demolition work being done on North Priory, where our former premises were in Pine Road.

Brierley Hill offers family fun

Face painting

Families can enjoy a range of children’s activities in Brierley Hill town centre this summer.

The events are taking place every Tuesday from 11am until 3pm until the end of August.

Circus skills, bouncy castles, face painting, children’s rides and a climbing wall will all be on offer in the Moor Shopping Centre.

For more information visit www.dudley.gov.uk or call 01384 815496.

Surf’s up

Beach Boys fans can go Surfin’ DY5 this weekend as the seaside comes to Brierley Hill.

An 18-foot inflatable surfboard simulator will be just one of the attractions at the first Brierley Hill by the Sea, which takes place on Saturday 30 July from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

The event will be based around the Moor Centre and Concord Market, both on High Street, and will include a crazy sand workshop, sandpit, bouncy castle and donkey rides.

There will also be a face painter, giant bubbles, balloon modeller, children’s fairground ride, music from a jazz band and a Punch and Judy show.

To complete the theme, families can have their pictures taken by posing behind a traditional seaside cut-out and entertainers in full nautical dress will be putting on a show.

Councillor Angus Adams, cabinet member for regeneration, said:

“I would encourage families to come along and enjoy the first Brierley Hill by the sea event. It’s the ideal way to start the school summer holidays.”

For more information visit www.dudley.gov.uk or call 01384 814659.

Successful funding bid for Brierley Hill

More than £360,000 will be ploughed into routes around Brierley Hill, after a successful bid by Dudley Council for government funds. The Department for Transport has approved Dudley’s bid for £362,000 to support the Brierley Hill Active Travel Partnership project.

The project aims to promote and improve access to and within Brierley Hill and its surrounding areas to encourage future investment. It includes the development of new and improved active travel corridors for walking and cycling which will link surrounding communities with the area’s shops and businesses.

The travel partnership supports the Brierley Hill Action Plan which aims to steer investment into the town and shape future planning applications. Councillor Patrick Harley, cabinet member for transportation, said: “We are delighted that our bid for £362,000 has been successful in supporting the delivery of the £512,000 Brierley Hill Active Travel Partnership project.

“This is an important element in ensuring sustainable transport and local accessibility are integral in our drive to promote investment into Brierley Hill.” Work to develop the new travel routes will now begin in partnership with local communities, schools and businesses.

The funding has been made available under the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) which was set up to support economic growth by supporting local communities and tackling climate change.

Crowds out in force for Stourbridge Carnival

People were out in force for plenty of family fun at the town’s 24th annual carnival.

The day-long street party, on Sunday July 3, was bathed in bright sunshine and the weather helped make the event a great success according to organisers.

The show kicked off with the Carnival Princess competition which was won by Natasha Smith from Wollaston and, for children aged four to six, the Rose Bud event which was won by Angel Davis from Stourbridge.

The carnival parade, which was led by the ATC band from Kingswinford, marched through the town to the carnival arena near the Crown Centre, which hosted music and dance events plus a variety of displays throughout the day.

Chairman of the carnival organising committee, David Harcourt said: “The weather was just right and it was one of our most successful carnivals to date.

“The crowds were huge and many people stayed on after the carnival closed, most people had a very good time, it was a good community event.”

Best selling local author Miranda Dickinson opened this year’s event.
Photo credits: Neighbours News

Celebrity mum Stacey stops off at Merry Hill

Newly crowned celebrity mum of the year, Stacey Solomon stopped off at Merry Hill as part of a baby extravaganza.

The X Factor star and winner of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, co-hosted the Tummy to Mummy event at the shopping mall on Saturday July 2.

The bubbly 21 year-old and mum to three-year old Zachary, was recently awarded the Celebrity Mother of the Year accolade by FoxyBingo.com and took to the stage to talk about being a working mum and  to share her fashion tips as part of the centre’s free event.

Since being crowned Queen of the Jungle during the last series, Stacey has had a bestselling book, co-hosted a prime time Saturday night TV show, become the new face of frozen food chain Iceland  and is currently writing and recording a new album.

But speaking to the News, Stacey named the Celebrity Mum of the Year award as her “biggest honour”.

She said:”I’ve had an absolutely fantastic year so far, but I was really honoured to get the award as I’ve never ever been complimented on my parenting skills before.”

Stacey, who was joined at the event by her own mum Fiona and Zachary, said her youngster was the reason she entered X Factor, to “be able to provide for him and give him the opportunities” she  never had.

The three-day event at Fountain Square, also showcased the latest maternity and baby fashions, with experts on hand to share top tips and advice.

Kelly Reed, Merry Hill marketing manager, said: “We were delighted to have Stacey on board for our Tummy to Mummy event – the crowds loved her.”

Photo credits: Neighbours News

Stacey co-presenting

Wordsley Festival 18th June 2011

King George V Park, Wordsley
Come and meet Fifi and Bumble at intervals throughout the day in the meet and greet area…this is a free attraction once in the event.
THE FLYIN RYAN MOTORCYCLE STUNT SHOW!

Action, Power, Speed, Control
The Flyin Ryan Motorcycle Stunt Show performs as a spectacular main arena attraction to jump start any event into life. A family run show, performed by the Griffiths family, that is geared towards entertainment for all ages from grandparents to toddlers. The Flyin Ryan Motorcycle Stunt Show relies on talent and years of motorcycle riding experience to provide a safe,exciting, entertaining show for every type of crowd. A compact and professional show filled with motorcycle stunts performed like no other UK artist,, and is a not to be missed attraction.
Flyin Ryan Griffiths has taken his skills gained from over 30 years of professional motocross racing and has produced an arena show enjoyed by motorcyclists and non motorcyclists alike. Riding a high powered motocross bike, Flyin Ryan and his stunt riders performs huge motorcycle jumps over multiple cars, steam engines, tractors and anything else they can get into your arena. Ryan performs entertaining wheelies with only one hand, one leg, standing up, sitting down, and standing on his seat ,whilst at the same time, keeping the crowd involved via his non stop commentary from inside his helmet. For a finale, Ryan uses pyrotechnic charges to create a ball of flame that bursts into life as he and his motorcycle jump through, spectacularly taking the audiences breath away and then leaving them breathing a sigh of relief as he emerges from the flames. Performing alongside Flyin Ryan is teenage tearaway Jumpin James who attempts to recreate Ryans stunts. Stunt rider Jumpin James also performs the double crossover, the human ramp jump, and performs entertaining one handed, and no legged jumps over cars. Ryan also demonstrates freestyle tricks with a difference because he performs unique freestyle manoeuvres over only a takeoff ramp to a flat landing, alleviating the need for unnecessarily large and heavy landing ramps in your arena. Stunt rider Flyin Ryan likes to keep up with anything new in stunt riding entertainment and performs wheelies and tricks on mini bikes whilst doing so he promotes safe and sensible riding of these machines and advises on suitable protective equipment and places to ride. Added to the entertaining on bike commentary is a hint of comedy genius and Ryan’s ability to work the crowd into a frenzy (even in the rain)and you have all the ingredients for a Fantastic live show. All of Ryan’s stunts have to be seen to be believed.
Plus live music from
SEAN RUMSEY
Sean is an up and coming soul artist and singer/songwriter. With over 1.8million hits on YouTube, supporting the likes of Diversity, Marvell, Lemar and Mcclean, he is someone to look out for!”
Of Kings And Captains
It’s plain and simple…… these young men aged 21-22 are a great rock n’ roll band in the making that have been together for less than 6 months. Having absorbed influences from across many generations, the end result is quite simply, a sound of their very own.
Having recently been in the studio for the very first time with renowned producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors, Robert Plant, Ocean Colour Scene etc.), the results speak for themselves. Mastered by David Mitson whose credits include; the Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond and Michael Jackson, this is a band who are aiming high….and yes, there is a full set of songs that measure-up to the one that you are listening to now.
For more event details visit: http://www.sbevents.co.uk