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.”
Stourbridge College is celebrating student success at a glittering OSCAR awards ceremony on Thursday 30th June at the Copthorne Hotel.
Margot James MP is our guest speaker and we’ll presenting winning students with £100 Westfield Gift Vouchers.
Mags Winthrop, Communications Co-ordinator, said: “We’ve got 20 students who are receiving awards, there will be student work on display and lecturers and managers as well as Governors will be celebrating our students’ achievements. Look out for the DVD and photographs on the college’s website, eProspectus and official Facebook page!”
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.
A KIND HEARTED Brierley Hill woman is throwing herself into organising a charity boxing evening in her bid to raise £20,000 for three military groups.
Christine Wyman, of Dell Road, is mum to 21 year-old son James, who is currently on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan in the Bomb Disposal Regiment.
AN ULTRA fit Halesowen firefigher completed the challenge of a lifetime which saw him run 102 miles in just over 24 hours.
James Grove, of Wassell Road, joined explorer Ed Stafford to complete the gruelling feat dubbed the Century Ultra Marathon which is the equivalent of four marathons back to back.
The married father, who works at Brierley Hill Fire Station, started running from Nevill Holt in Leicestershire on at 4pm May 20 with Ed and four people he had never met before, and finished at Brancaster Staithe in Norfolk at 6pm the next day. Continue reading Fireman completes gruelling 102 mile run (From Halesowen News)
A fantastic musical concert is taking place at St Michael’s Church, Brierley Hill this Saturday at 7.30 pm. Viva Musica will be performing variety of popular, classical, and modern songs.
Since its formation 20 years ago, Viva Musica has established itself as one of the leading chores in the West Midlands. With over 70 mixed voices it has earned and enviable reputation for performing a wide range of classical, religious, modern and popular music in a variety of venues across the Midlands and beyond.
A DARING Brierley Hill mum-of-three is gearing up to take part in a charity skydive this weekend to help pull in the pounds for Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust.
Caroline Beech will be leaping out of a plane at 10,000 feet in a tandem skydive this Saturday (June 4) to help the cause which she has taken to her heart due to family links.
The 35-year-old part-time coffee shop assistant, who is working at The Little Green Olive Caffe at Stourbridge Health and Social Care Centre at Amblecote while studying for a maths degree, has so far raised more than £500 in sponsorship. Continue reading Gutsy mum gears up for charity skydive (From Stourbridge News)
As a footballer, Richard Sneekes was all about excitement. But the former Albion playmaker is urging a measured approach by the Baggies as they look to end their yo-yo years once and for all.
After watching with joy as Roy Hodgson kept the club in the Premier League this year, Sneekes is optimistic about the prospects for next season.
But the Dutchman, whose junior coaching business has just launched a new course in Brierley Hill, believes Albion must not try to run before they can walk.
“They just have to establish themselves,” said Sneekes. “That’s all we can ask for at the moment.
“You have to establish yourself in the Premier League and build year by year. Every year you have to take a step higher.
“If you try to take big steps forward, throw money at it and think you’re aiming for the top six, it might backfire on you.
“Villa think they are a top-six team and yet they have had one bad season and they are going to overhaul their whole squad.
“I just think we need to take little steps and establish ourselves for two or three years, then we can look at bigger and higher things.
“You have to work your way up the table slowly and let’s see if we can get up to 10th next year and then a little bit higher up.
“There is no point in saying ‘we’re aiming for Europe now’ and then doing what Ipswich did — pushing for it, getting into to Europe and then getting relegated the next season.
“We need to establish ourselves as a Premier League club and next season will be the next step towards that.”
Sneekes, now aged 42, remains a keen onlooker at The Hawthorns, where Hodgson arrived in February and halted a dismal run of results that looked set to dump Albion into the Premier League’s relegation zone.
When Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed just nine months after leading the Baggies to promotion, Sneekes believed the decision was harsh.
But the Dutchman reckons subsequent events have vindicated the change, with the club claiming a best-ever Premier League finish, ending the season 11th in the table with a record haul of 47 points.
“It has been very good and I have been really impressed by what has happened,” said Sneekes.
“I think Roberto did a great job but towards the end it didn’t go to plan, and to be fair to the club they made the right decision at exactly the right time.
“Mr Hodgson came in and did ever so well. He has gone back to what he knows, which is defensive basics, and they got some great results to be free from relegation four or five weeks before the end of the season.
“You have to be happy with that and it’s now about building on it, keeping the players they want to keep hold of and adding in areas where they want to increase strength in depth.” Sneekes, who signed briefly for non-league Dudley Town last season, has now linked up with the club to offer youngsters expert coaching on Fridays at the Dell Stadium in Bryce Road.
He runs his coaching company, Total Football UK, along with former Hawthorns team-mate Daryl Burgess, with the pair running courses throughout the West Midlands.
“We have been going for about three years and we’re trying to expand,” said Sneekes.
“We are working with Dudley Town and have been trying to set this up for a while. The aim is to work with the club and try to feed youngsters into the club and to improve players and work on kids’ development.
“We do what we think is right to bring players on.”
Youngsters can take part in the course at The Dell without pre-booking.
Schoolchildren from reception to year two should attend from 6-7pm and youngsters in years two-six are catered for from 7-8pm.
Each session costs £4 per child.
For details go to www.totalfootballuk.com or call 0844 779 4625.
