Bloxwich and Walsall election results

 

It was a quiet start to the day for the Little Bloxwich polling station at Holy Ascension Church

After a busy day and night for candidates and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council staff, the results are now in for this year’s round of local government elections.

Council control

With a low voter turnout overall, and despite being the party with the largest number of elected Councillors, Labour have still not managed to achieve a majority across the Borough. However, Walsall’s Labour Leader Cllr Sean Coughlan has reportedly stated that the party will be meeting the two Liberal Democrat councillors this morning to discuss joining forces to run the council. We are awaiting an official announcement on this.

Whoever takes control will still have to implement massive cuts forced on them by the Conservative governments ‘austerity’ policies, although it is expected that Labour will have a differerent take on what public services and other areas will be cut, where and how.

Victims of changes

There was dramatic change in Blakenall Ward this time around, with ‘independent’ incumbent Pete Smith being knocked out by Labour’s Matt Ward with a majority of 257.  Meanwhile in Bloxwich West, the Conservatives gained a surprise seat, with Brad Allen defeating Labour’s Patti Lane by just 109 votes.

Over in Birchills-Leamore and Bloxwich East, the song remained with same with Tina Jukes and Julie Fitzpatrick holding fast for the Labour Party with 1736 and 1168 votes respectively, the Tory candidates being beaten soundly by Labour majorities of 1229 and 690.

The detailed results for the Bloxwich and district wards are as follows:

Birchills-Leamore

Candidate	Party	Votes received
Ali Shaz	The Conservative Party Candidate	507
Jukes Tina Joan	Labour Party	1736**H

** Elected
H or G: Hold or Gain

Blakenall

Candidate	Party	Votes received
Derry Hilda	The Conservative Party Candidate	228
Smith Pete		811
Ward Matt	Labour Party Candidate	1068**G

** Elected
H or G: Hold or Gain

Bloxwich East

Candidate	Party	Votes received
Fitzpatrick Julie	Labour Party	1168**H
Statham Mark Andrew	The Conservative Party Candidate	682
Timmins Gary	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	478

** Elected
H or G: Hold or Gain

Bloxwich West

Candidate	Party	Votes received
Allen Brad	The Conservative Party Candidate	1434**G
Lane Patti	Labour Party	1325

** Elected
H or G: Hold or Gain

Borough results

Election results for the whole of Walsall Metropolitan Borough can be found via the following link:

http://webwalsall.com/elections/results2/

 

Results figures are provided here courtesy of Walsall Council

Leamore & Area Community Group seeks members

A community organisation which aims to support Leamore folk and campaign on local concerns is on the lookout for new members, and is inviting people to come and put forward their ideas and raise problems experienced in their own streets.

The Leamore & Area Community Group, which was formed in January of this year, meets every 2nd Tuesday of every month at Colebatch’s Club in Bloxwich Road, Leamore.

Come along

The next group meeting is Tuesday 10th November 2015 at 7pm and all are welcome to attend, whether they want to know more information about the group or have a concern or problem they want to discuss.

Support your local community

A group spokesmen told the Bloxwich Telegraph that they are hoping for representatives to come forward for every street on their patch. They are also looking for more people to attend in general, so that the Leamore community can be better represented.

The group say they are striving for a better community to live in, and are currently in the process of campaigning for better speed limit signage on Somerfield Road between Leamore and Bloxwich, as there is a big problem with motorists using excessive speed in what should be a 30 mph area.  They are also concerned about car cruising on roads in the Leamore area.

Events at Forest Arts Centre

Forthcoming events at Forest Arts Centre, Hawbush Road, Leamore, WS3 1AG.

LIVE MUSIC 

Thursday 3 September at 2pm and Thursday 1 October at 2pm
Senior Citizens Orchestra Concert

The Orchestra perform monthly concerts at Forest Arts Centre. Their programmes offer fabulous music and feature a whole range of classical favourites. Many concerts also include invited guests and performers.

Tickets: £1 Please note tickets can only be purchased 30 minutes before the start of the concert.

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday 9 September at 1.30pm
The Carpenters Tribute Show

Popular vocalist and Forest Arts Centre favourite Nicky Moran, returns with her amazing Carpenters Tribute Show. The show offers a fabulous and nostalgic afternoon of entertainment with authentic costumes and musical arrangements. Reliving classic hits and household favourites such as Top of the World, Jambalaya and We’ve Only Just Begun, Nicky and her band perform wonderfully the beautiful music of The Carpenters.
Tickets: £6

FILM

Friday 11 September at 7.30pm
Evening Cinema “Birdman” (18)

Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance is a black comedy that tells the story of an actor (Michael Keaton) – famous for portraying an iconic superhero – as he struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself.

Tickets: £3 / £2 (concession) – Please note can only be purchased 30 minutes before the start of the film.

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 September
7.30pm & 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

Walsall Operatic Society present “Something Old, Something New”

Following last year’s sell out performances, Walsall Operatic Society invites you to join in the celebration of its 60th anniversary concert.
This musical theatre extravaganza will span a wide variety of shows ranging from Easter Parade to Kinky Boots and from Chicago to Matilda. There promises to be something for everyone in this wonderful musical spectacular.

For further information regarding the show please contact 01922 477001 or email wostickets@walsalloperatic.com

Tickets: £10 & £5 (concession) – concession only applies for 2.30pm Saturday matinee performance.

Leamore residents group are clean and green!

Leamore councilors and residents tackling anti-social behaviour and lettering (pic: Walsall Council Labour Group).

A new community group has been set up in Leamore to improve community safety and the environment.  The Leamore Community Group covers the whole of Leamore and meets regularly  at the community room of the  Leamore  tenant management organisation (TMO)  in Pembroke House, Comwall Close.

The group has only been running a couple of months but has already run a successful speed campaign in Somerfield Road, working with local businesses to ease traffic problems and lobbying Walsall council on the sale of alcohol when licensing shops in the area. 

Chris Jones, Councillor for Birchills-Leamore, said:  “We helped to set up this group in response to the many enquiries received by my colleagues, Cllrs Tina Jukes and Lee Jeavons.  Anti-social behaviour and littering are problems within the Leamore area so we decided to replicate the success of a similar group that I have helped run in the Birchills area for many years.”

“By coordinating the services of the council, police and the residents committee at the TMO we hope to make real improvements for the residents and businesses of Leamore. But any group is only as good as the people that are involved so we are asking people to join up and help us deliver a better Leamore for all.”

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and organisers can be contacted on 07713 669706.

Leamore youngsters inspired to medical careers

Elishia Firth and Levi Cox taking blood pressures

Year 6 pupils from Leamore Primary School developed their knowledge of all things medical last week by taking part in the ‘Careers in Health’ workshop morning delivered by representatives from Classroom Medics.

After an introductory talk and demonstration the children split into groups and used a variety of medical equipment for a range of purposes and in the process measured their own health and fitness.

Queuing up for the Batek light reactor

Excited children from the popular Bloxwich Rd school were able to take their own blood pressure, pulse, heartbeat and temperature readings, used a rowing machine and a light reactor to measure strength and co-ordination.

They also performed resuscitation techniques, found out their lung capacity and wore a variety of goggles to see the effects on vision of various conditions including a stroke to name but some of the activities.

Classroom Medics are a team of medics, physiologists & scientists that visit schools and festivals to help pupils make more informed decisions about their health, careers and future ambitions.

They provide unique and memorable workshops and activities that inspire and engage school pupils and the general public.

Leamore teacher Mr Paul Mobberley said:

“The workshop was delivered superbly and really raised the children’s and staff’s awareness. It concluded with an interactive quiz and even at the age of 11 some of the children are considering a career in medicine as a result.”

Pictures courtesy Paul Mobberley

Bloxwich Churches – Services for Christmas

Here in Little Bloxwich at Telegraph Towers we’ve received a nice little card from all of the Bloxwich churches, listing their Christmas services.

We haven’t seen this information online all together elsewhere, so we thought we’d pass this on to Bloxwich Telegraph readers, with the compliments of the season!

Here are the listings…

Bloxwich Churches Christmas Services

Christmas kick-off at Bloxwich’s Stan Ball Centre this week

The festive season kicks off at Bloxwich’s Stan Ball Centre on Friday 7th December from 1pm until 3pm with the Centre’s annual CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT.

Reverend Monica Arnold from All Saints Church, Bloxwich and Reverend Paul Myers from Christ Church, Blakenall Heath will be in attendance at the Centre in Abbotts Street, along with the Green Rock Primary School Choir for what will surely be an enjoyable yuletide afternoon service.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

The Stan Ball Centre’s Christmas Fayre takes place on  Saturday 8th December 10am until 1pm.

A few tables may still be available at a cost of £8 each or £5 for registered charities – contact Karen on 01922 403351 to book.

The Centre’s Bistro will be open throughout serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, and Santa will be paying a visit this year!.  Pop along for a festive morning out and find that last-minute Christmas gift! – free admission and free parking as usual.

CHRISTMAS DINNERS

Christmas Dinners will be available every day week commencing  Monday 10th December to Friday 14th December.  Purchase your Dinner ticket in advance from Stan Ball Reception for the day of your choice at a cost of £5.50 for two courses.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Stan Ball Christmas Party will be held on  Wednesday 12th December 1pm until 3pm with the “Val Rivers Show”.  This popular entertainment duo return for another festive musical treat for the party season.  Why not pop along for your Christmas Lunch beforehand and make a day of it?

Show tickets are on sale now from Stan Ball Reception costing just £3 per person.  A Christmas Hamper Raffle will be drawn during the afternoon – raffle tickets will be on sale from Monday 3rd December £1 per strip.

For further information, or to book any of these events, please contact Karen or Pete on 01922 403351 or come into the Centre during office hours Monday to Friday.

The Stan Ball Centre is part of Bloxwich Community Partnership (T.P.Riley Community Association).

A Christmas Carol comes to Leamore!

Mr Scrooge reads A Christmas Carol (courtesy Pamela Raith Photography)

A much-loved Victorian Christmas classic will be reminding people of a bygone era when it comes to Leamore this week – and it looks like being a real Christmas cracker!

The dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol will be staged at Forest Arts Centre in Hawbush Road on Wednesday 5 December as part of a “rural tour” by the popular New Perspectives Theatre Company.

Charles Dickens took to the stage in 1853 to read from his famous work and it became one of the most talked about theatrical experiences of the Victorian era.

His series of readings included extracts from many of his most famous works, and New Perspectives is marking the bicentenary of the literary great’s birth by recreating the magic of that first reading.

Julie Simmonds, Walsall Council operations officer, said:

“This is an opportunity to experience one of the most famous Christmas stories ever written.

“With a mixture of heart-warming and spine-tingling moments, it promises to be a very special evening.”

The 7.30pm show is recommended for adults and older children and tickets cost £5.

They are available from Forest Arts Centre or at the venue 30 minutes before the show, subject to availability.

Forest Arts Centre Box Office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-4.30pm and can be contacted on 0845 111 2898.

Leamore school links to northern mining village

Children from High Spen are learning about Leamore.

Leamore Primary School are saying that they are delighted to have a new partner school in the North East of England – High Spen Primary.

The popular school in Bloxwich Road, Leamore already have international links, with partner schools overseas, but it was recently thought that it would be a good idea to link up with another school in a different part of England, according to Leamore teacher Paul Mobberley.

High Spen is a former mining village on the outskirts of Gateshead about 5 miles from Newcastle City Centre – and considering Leamore’s own historical links with coal mining and related industries, what could be more appropriate?

WORKING TOGETHER

Already the respective Year 6 classes from both schools have begun to undertake joint projects by writing and emailing each other, comparing similarities and differences between their schools and making videos about their locality for each other to watch and links to each other’s schools have been incorporated on their websites.

Mr Mobberley, a Year 6 teacher himself, recently spent a day at High Spen as guest of their headteacher Mr Firth and was able to meet with their Year 6 children and staff and tell them about life in the ‘Black Country’.

Paul Mobberley said:

“The children found it fascinating to learn about a different part of the country with hardly any of the High Spen children having ever visited the West Midlands and  similarly the Leamore children with the North East.

“Now these links have been established it is hoped that as the year progresses there will be many joint activities including children visiting each others’ schools.”

Picture courtesy Paul Mobberley.

Bloxwich Remembers – for the fallen

The Remembrance Sunday service at Bloxwich War Memorial 2012 (click for full panoramic image)

In Bloxwich today, Remembrance Sunday combined with Armistice Day, and hundreds of residents of Bloxwich, Blakenall Heath and Leamore gathered in glorious but decidedly chilly November sunshine for the annual observation of the nation’s traditional act of remembrance and to see the village’s traditional parade to honour fallen UK servicemen and women of all wars and conflicts, especially the Great War and the Second World War.

Participants in the parade assembled outside the former Bull’s Head pub in Park Road and, the road having been closed by police, marched off at 10.20am, led by the Walsall Coronets band, along High Street to the War Memorial on the corner of High Street and Elmore Green Road where large crowds of local folk were gathered for a service of Remembrance around 10.40am.

Veterans and their representatives arrive at Bloxwich War Memorial.

Local veterans and cadets marched proudly behind the standards of the Royal British Legion and other ex-services organisations, and were followed by youth groups including Bloxwich Army Cadets, Scouts, Guides and Brownies, representatives of local organisations, and local councillors.

Reading the Bloxwich, Blakenall Heath and Leamore Roll of Honour.

The people of Bloxwich and district were welcomed by Revd. Phil Hoar of St. John’s Methodist Church, who together with the Revd. Monica Arnold, Curate of All Saints Church and Licensed Reader Margaret Wootton (also of All Saints) read out the Bloxwich and district Roll of Honour for the Great War and the Second World War.

We Will Remember Them…

Preceded by bells from All Saints Church, The Last Post was played to herald the traditional two minutes silence at 11am, with standards lowered by both veterans and youth groups (though sadly Drum Sergeant Alf Cooper, Staffordshire Regiment (retired) was unable to attend to sound the bugle in person this year, due to ill health).  Mr Witton of the Royal Naval Association read the traditional Ode of Remembrance from ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon.

Mr Witton from the Bloxwich Branch of the Royal Naval Association reads from ‘For the Fallen’.

Revd Phil Hoar subsequently led those assembled in prayer, readings and hymns to both honour the fallen and to pray for future peace, including a particularly poignant reading about the examples set in 2009 by a young soldier in Afghanistan and by the late Harry Patch, ‘the last fighting Tommy’.

Jassica Castillo-Burley leads the singing of the National Anthem.

The service concluded with the National Anthem with singing led by All Saints’ Church Youth Choir leader Jassica Castillo-Burley and the laying of wreaths by local dignitaries, Mr Witton laying the first wreath, followed by Roy Aldridge of SSAFA Forces Help West Midlands North Branch (Walsall District)  then Bloxwich councilors and representatives of the armed and civilian services and other organisations.  Individuals, including many youngsters, then proudly placed small crosses and poppies for fallen relatives and friends.

The laying of wreaths.

At the final conclusion of ceremonies, the parade returned smartly along High Street to its point of origin, the Bull’s Head, before breaking up for another year.

Army Cadets step out smartly on the return parade.

The Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix representatives.

Bloxwich Scouts did their duty proudly on parade, as did the Guides, Cubs, Brownies etc.

This year’s poignant, reflective but uplifting event was again very well supported, with an excellent turnout, and onlookers were once again particularly impressed by the large number of young people who proudly joined the veterans in the parade, notably smartly turned-out army cadets and other youth groups carrying flags including Bloxwich Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and Guides amongst them.

Other local groups were represented, including the Royal British Legion, Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix, Bloxwich Fire Station, Bloxwich Police and more.

‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row…’

All photographs by Stuart Williams.

Many more photographs were taken of this event than it is possible to show here.

A FREE FLICKR ALBUM of photographs of Remembrance Sunday 2012 in Bloxwich – including the parades to and from the memorial and many more pictures not shown here – is presented by The Bloxwich Telegraph via the following link for download as personal souvenirs of the occasion and for any non-commercial use by groups and organisations pictured:  BLOXWICH REMEMBERS 2012

See also REMEMBERING HAROLD PARRY.

Bloxwich War Memorial – a village remembers…