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.

X FACTOR JUDGE HITS DUDLEY

X Factor judge Louis Walsh fuels rumours

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has caused a stir by filming in Dudley – fuelling rumours that a reject from the Black Country will be given a second shot at stardom.

The Irishman was spotted out and about in Pensnett and having his make-up done at Dudley’s Village Hotel before later before mobbed by fans at Asda in Brierley Hill.

He was visiting the town on Sunday to meet with contestant Wagner Fiuza-Carhillo, sparking speculation the retired PE teacher from Dudley and the show’s other latest rejects are being given a lifeline to return for the live finals.

Singer Gamu Nhengu, controversially axed from the girls’ category by Cheryl Cole in favour of quirky contestants Cher Lloyd and Katie Waissel, was today still the bookies’ second favourite to win the show as the rumour mill went into overdrive about contestants being allowed to return.

Show bosses have promised a “big surprise” for the launch of the live finals on Saturday. It has led to mounting speculation that each judge will be given the opportunity to choose one “wild card” act each to re-enter the competition.

The twist could also mark the return of reject Treyc Cohen, a Wolverhampton University performing arts student. There has been a storm of controversy over her departure by fans, who claim she should have been selected to go through over Cher and Katie, who both fluffed their auditions.

Cheryl is reported to have been spotted filming in Treyc’s hometown of Tamworth and Simon Cowell was also captured pulling up in Peterborough in his Rolls Royce, the home of camp duo Diva Fever.

Wolverhampton’s Liam Payne has already booked his place in the live finals with band 1 Direction, formed by Cowell.

Source: Express & Star

BRIERLEY HILL’S FESTIVAL OF WATER & LIGHT

DUDLEY’S FESTIVAL OF WATER & LIGHT

Fireworks and a colourful boat parade brought families to Brierley Hill’s Festival of Water and Light despite the rain.

Thousands of people lined The Waterfront last night (Sunday October 3) for the 12th annual festival – which included a boat parade with a ‘pop bands of the past’ theme, a fireworks display, stalls, a fun fair, music and dancing.

The Mayor judged the winner of the boat parade – which saw first prize go to The Bromley-Pensnett primary school boat. Second place went to AEG, with LIFT picking up third prize.

The event was also supported by radio station Heart FM for the third year in a row. Performances came from former Belle Sorelle singer IamRuby, bands Empty Can, Injustice and Everybody Looks Famous, as well as local dance and theatre groups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Neighbours News

Hot date for top chef at Merry Hill eaterie

TOP TV chef Gino D’Acampo will be turning up the heat at Merry Hill at a bash to mark the first birthday of Eat Central.

The I’m a Celebrity winner will be performing a series of live cookery demonstrations on Friday October 22 as part of a packed programme of activities marking the first anniversary of the popular dining destination. The Italian star will also be signing copies of his book at Waterstones in the mall on the same day.

Kelly Reed, Merry Hill marketing manager, said: “We wanted to mark the birthday with something special and we’re so excited to celebrate with Gino D’Acampo.

“He’s promised to cook up some treats and we’re expecting him to be really popular with the ladies.

The birthday celebration will also include giveaways, games, special offers and live entertainment from Heart FM.

And the party will continue into half term with activities for young and old alike ranging from a tea dance on the malls to a visit from Fireman Sam.

For more information about the Eat Central birthday celebrations visit www.westfield.com/merryhill

X factor Olly to kick off Christmas

THE festive season will be kicked off in style at Merry Hill this year, as X Factor heartthrob Olly Murs will flick the switch for the Christmas lights.

The talent show’s runner up will be topping the bill at the lights switch-on event on November 12 and will be performing his debut single Please Don’t Let Me Go – which recently hit the top of the charts.

Olly will also be joined by comedy dance duo Twist ‘n’ Pulse, who came second in Britain’s Got Talent.

Kelly Reed, marketing manager at Merry Hill, said: “Our Christmas switch-on party has become one of the most talked about events in the Midlands and after the success of last year with Diversity and Stavros Flatley, we wanted to make sure we bring in a star that could live up to it.

“Olly Murs is the perfect choice. He was the star of the show for many in X Factor and he has such a broad appeal – everyone from mums, teenagers and grandmas seem to love him! We can’t wait to welcome him to Merry Hill.”

The event will begin from 4pm when Heart FM will be providing the entertainment.

Everybody Looks Famous confirmed for Festival of Light

One of the acts confirmed to appear at this year’s Festival of Water and Light celebration in Brierley Hill is Everybody Looks Famous. 

Neighbours News saw them as the opening act at the Midlands Music Festival in Tamworth this past summer, and they are definitely one to watch out for!! You can check out their MySpace site at:   http://www.myspace.com/everybodylooksfamous.

This year’s theme will be ‘pop bands of the past’ for the huge event on Sunday October 3. Thousands of people are expected to pack the Waterfront for the annual festival, now in its 12th year, which will culminate with a spectacular firework display. The event is free to attend and will include the traditional colourful boat parade as well as live music, dance groups, a funfair and craft exhibitions. Radio station Heart FM will return as this year’s media partner following their huge success over the past three years.

The Dudley Council festival is organised by CCEM who are also offering businesses and groups a fantastic opportunity to advertise their work by taking on a craft stall or boat. To apply call 08707 449701 or email admin@ccem.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Everybody Looks Famous

N-Dubz perform to screaming crowds

EAR piercing screams heralded the arrival of chart toppers N-Dubz as they performed an exclusive after hours gig at Merry Hill last night.

The hip hop trio – Dino ‘Dappy’ Contostavlos, Tula ‘Tulisa’ Contostavlos and Richard ‘Fazer’ Rawson – performed hits from their two hit albums during a private one hour gig in Fountain Square to 500 excited competition winners. The popular band, who have taken the UK by storm with a number one album and three MOBO awards, sang crowd pleasers such as Strong Again, Papa can you hear me, Number One and an impressive cover version of The Script’s The man who can’t be moved.

N-Dubz returned to the shopping mall to perform the gig after a successful book signing in May, when hundreds of fans turned out to greet the band. Before the concert, Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer spoke to the News about their loyal following and their forthcoming plans.

Dappy said: “We love how our fans give us so much support, we would be nothing without them and It is great to see them sing along with our lyrics.”

The band also spoke about their third album, which is yet unnamed, and is set to be released in November, along with their new single called Best Behaviour, which is due out next month and which the band are filming the video for in St Tropez later this week.

Sisters Emma and Samantha Skelding, from Wordsley, were among the lucky concert-goers and had the chance to get up close and personal with their pop idols when they met the trio back stage. Samantha , aged 14, who has been an N-Dubz fan since they first started, said: “The concert was brilliant and I can’t believe I got the chance to meet them. That was the best bit as I think they are great.”

Emma, aged 11, added: “I was really nervous meeting them, but they were really nice and the concert was great.” Also meeting the band was 14 year-old Becky McGrory, from Liverpool, who won a competition to design the stage backdrop, with her colourful artwork of the trio.

Photo credits: Stourbridge News

Lookout Project to launch new base

Pensnett’s Lookout Project, which helps local young people make positive life choices, will officially open its new base this month.

The centre, located at 116 Commonside, will hold an open day to mark the occasion on Wednesday 18 August from 1.30 to 3pm. There will be an opportunity to look around the new base as well as the chance to meet with the volunteers who run the project. The opening of the building follows a £6,000 grant from the Brierley Hill area committee capital allocations fund, which funded the installation of door and window shutters to enhance security to the building.

Councillor Geoffrey Southall, chairman of Brierley Hill area committee, said: “Lookout Project offers guidance to young people on a number of issues including debt, sexual health and substance misuse. It also gives them the opportunity to volunteer and undertake peer mentoring.

“The new building will be a vital base for the volunteers who make the project possible and the capital allocations funding will help to keep it secure.”

For more information about funding opportunities via area committee capital allocations, call Joe Jablonski on 01384 815243.

Groups and organisations that have already been successful in obtaining funding from capital allocation budgets are reminded they cannot reapply within a three-year period.

For more information on the Lookout Project call 01384 918801 or email www.ourneighbourhoodextended@yahoo.co.uk

Do You Know Someone Incredible?

As part of Dudley CVS’s exciting new campaign to launch the 2010 Dudley Volunteer Awards, some of the people who scooped awards at last year’s ceremony agreed to star in their 2010 campaign based on another popular film.

‘Meet the real Incredibles’ stars local people who give up their time to make Dudley borough a better place and hope that their posters will get you thinking about the incredible people you know who could be nominated. You can put groups forward too as long as they do not include any paid staff members. Look out for our posters in local shops, libraries and the Dudley CVS office in Albion Street, plus you can download your nomination form from www.dudleycvs.org.uk, or call 01384 267425. The closing date is September 19th 2010.