March 2020 - Page 2 of 2 - Pioneer Magazines

Aldridge Fire Cadets: Sparking A Connection

Youngsters with a burning ambition to learn about life as a firefighter are being offered the opportunity to take part in special six-month courses.

Every Thursday night, between 6.15 and 8.45pm, Aldridge Fire Cadets are put through their paces at Aldridge Fire Station under the gaze of former Watch Commander Andrew Dickson assisted by a small dedicated group of fellow volunteer instructors.

“To some of the young people, it can be quite a life-changing experience” he told Pioneer. “Parents sometimes comment on how much more confident, assertive and outgoing their children are after they’ve been on the course.

“But that’s because we teach them discipline and structure and expect them to take responsibility for themselves and their colleagues on the course. We even have a ‘no mobile phone’ policy, when they are here.

“It’s great to see how they develop new social skills over the time they are with us.”

There are 20 boys and girls currently on the course, aged from 11 to 15, who dutifully attend each week and support extracurricular activities.

The course has been running in Aldridge since 2008, initially under the auspices of The Young Firefighters Association and latterly rebranded as Aldridge Fire Cadets in line with the National Fire Cadet scheme.

After an initial three-month course proved a success it was extended to six months, and ever since hundreds of youngsters from Aldridge and the surrounding areas have taken part in a scheme which allows them to experience much of what real firefighters do every day.

“The cadets have their own room at the Fire Station and even their own road-worthy fire engine, which is an older one that is now no longer up-to-date enough for fire crews to use on the front line,” Andrew said.

Andrew, who is 60, retired from the brigade in 2010 following more than 33 years’ service. He has retained his involvement with the cadets and, having kept up his HGV licence, drives them to events in their fire engine.

Those events include appearances at carnivals and fayres, as well as providing support as parking marshals at places like Aldridge Transport Museum.

“We are always out and about helping to raise funds with car washing and bag packing,” Andrew said, “which really helps the cadets develop a sense of community.”

But perhaps the most challenging – and exciting – aspect of the course is the firefighter training that the cadets take part in.

“The cadets get a real taste of life as a firefighter,” Andrew said, “learning drills and how to use the hoses, ladders and pumps.

“Underneath the station is a tunnel that the firefighters use for breathing apparatus practice, and we have created some light-weight plastic sets that the children can wear so they can experience it too.

“They love the challenge of going into the pitch black and finding their way through the tunnel using touch only, wearing the apparatus and full mask.”

The cadets also act as casualties in major training exercises for firefighters.

But safety is the number one priority for the cadets whenever they are engaged in training of any kind.

“Out on the yard, it is paramount that they are doing things safely,” Andrew said. “In fact, I purposely have a downtime for 10 minutes every week where they have time to have a chat and a joke around and socialise.

“That way we know that when it’s time to be serious and concentrate they are ready.”

Andrew is very passionate about the scheme, which he describes as ‘shaping young people for adulthood’.

“It teaches then teamwork, builds self-esteem, and also provides an NVQ qualification in Understanding Firefighting, so they have mini lectures and do a little workbook,” he explained.

The course is even set up to accommodate youngsters who do not read and write well, still allowing them to get the qualification and certificate.

At the end of the six-month period, the cadets have a Passing Out parade, where all their family and friends are invited, along with the Mayor of Walsall, and dignitaries from the Brigade. There is also an award for the best cadet on the course.

But perhaps the clearest evidence of the course’s success is the number of cadets who have gone on to become real firefighters.

“There are some that enjoy the six-month experience for what it is,” Andrew said, “and then others who actually develop a real passion for joining the brigade.

“I have had a few that have gone through the course, and then when they have reached 16, have been invited back to be junior instructors, then become adult instructors with me, and then applied to the brigade and become firefighters.

“I follow their pathway, and some of them that have done the course are well into their twenties now and serving as firefighters.”

It seems that while all of Andrew’s cadets are reshaped in some way by six months under his tutelage at Aldridge Fire Station, for a few the experience sparks a connection with firefighting that simply can’t be extinguished.

Further information:

andrew.dickson@wmfs.net

07989143388

Frank Chamberlain: A Lifetime of Inspiration

Brierley Hill Frank Chamberlain — Brierley Hill Author, Frank Chamberlain

Brierley Hill author Frank Chamberlain has always wanted to be a writer. As a teenager growing up in Walsall, he would often start crafting a story, but his creative juices would dry up and the writing stop.

It was only when he began to draw upon the places and characters of the Black Country that inspiration struck – resulting in a new locally-based novel that will resonate with locals.

His new book, ‘Misconception’, was inspired by a lifetime of living in the Midlands. The 49-year-old writer first fell in love with the character and history of the area as a nine-year-old schoolboy on a trip to the Black Country Living Museum.

“I remember the school trip really well,” he said, “Back in the 1970s The Black Country Living Museum was only just starting off, but even then it was quite an incredible place.

“Over the years, as it has grown and grown and I have been on lots of visits there, I guess this story had started to grow with it – it inspired a lot of the settings and places.”

The 1941 thriller is set in a fictional town made up from the DNA of the Black Country as a whole, with influences stretching from Aldridge Transport Museum to the Rock Caves and houses of Staffordshire. The action is set around a town similar to Brierley Hill, as it would have been during the war.

But while the story is set during the war years, Frank was determined that it would be more than just a tale about soldiers and conflict.

“I wanted a strong female lead,” he explained, “and I also didn’t want people to pick it up and think ‘oh, this is a blokey war book’. So, this isn’t a book about the war as such, but more about people living during the war in the West Midlands.”

The plot follows Justine Page; a young woman who sets out on a quest, when she wakes up after an air raid to discover that her friends and her lover Harry have vanished. She is helped along the way by a passing company of Australian soldiers and their colourful Aboriginal scout, Jarli.

“The book has something for everyone,” Frank explained. “There is local history, humour and at its heart It’s a good adventure story.

“Everyone who knows the Black Country and surrounding areas will recognise the humour and the places and people that it’s based on. I was determined not to write a boring old history-based war story – it’s intriguing and colourful.”

The story places memorable characters in local locations that Frank researched in great detail, to ensure that the book accurately reflected wartime life in the Black Country.

“I felt that it was vital that I did some serious research to give the book real grounding in local history,” he said. “All the locations are based on real buildings, tunnels and hidden spaces that I have either visited or studied diagrams and archives of.

“If I haven’t been able to visit a place because it is inaccessible, I have looked at old blueprints, or spoken to people that have been there. It’s all based on the real streets of Brierley Hill and Stourbridge.

“All the vehicles featured in the book are vehicles that exist at the Aldridge Transport Museum, too.”

With ‘Misconception’ now published, Frank has plans to expand the wartime world he has created in the Black Country, turning the book into a series with prequels and sequels.

The book forms the middle part of a series of novels following the lives of key characters Justine, Harry and Jarli, along with their families over 11-year cycles, beginning in 1919 and ending in 1963.

When finished, the ambitious series will follow their lives over the years through the changing landscape of the Black Country and beyond.

And Frank hopes that the characters who populate his story will resonate with readers, just as they have inspired him.

“To be honest, this book wrote itself when the characters came to life and made decisions of their own,” he said.

‘Misconception’ is available as a paperback or download from Amazon. You can discover more at www.FrankPages.Net or follow him onwww.facebook.com/FranksPages.

Community Spirit: Alive and Kicking

High Heath Community Hub — High Heath Hub

Everyone in High Heath, Walsall knows ‘H’. If they don’t, the chances are they know someone who has benefitted from his community-minded approach to life.

‘H’ – whose full name is Harjit Singh – runs the popular Nisa Local store in High Heath, Walsall, with his wife Jodie and two sons. Thanks to H, a new community hub has been helping bring local people together since Jan 2019.

The hub, which is based in one of the retail units H owns, provides a place for people to get together and plan local events with a committee meeting each week.

Forty-eight-year-old H first began to grasp the power of High Heath’s community spirit when, as a young shopkeeper, he bought out a larger competitor.

As he went through the accounts of his new acquisition, he realised that local people had been spending twice as much in his own smaller shop than in the bigger chain store. The ‘eureka’ moment came when he realised that this was because his shop had a friendlier, community feel.

“From that day on, I thought ‘I want to pay the community back,’” H said. “My dad, who was called Gurpal but everyone knew as Paul, had run the shop for eight years; but not very successfully. Sadly, he passed away in 1998, and I had to reluctantly give up my own business, as a market trader, to run the shop.

“In 2014, after 16 years of running the shop, I bought out the bigger chain store and had my ‘Eureka’ moment’. I went to a council meeting and, in memory of my dad, stood up and pledged £20,000 to help support community events in the area. But as the weeks went by, nothing came of it. The councillors didn’t seem to want to spend the money.

“Before I knew it, five years had flown past and I still hadn’t fulfilled the promise I had made in my dad’s name – so I just thought ‘I’ll do it myself’.”

“Me, my wife and a very close friend Dr Antonio FB set up a meeting about starting a hub, and waited to see who would show up,” H said. “Eight or nine people came along, which showed me that there was an appetite for the idea, and then the Townswomen’s Guild got involved and we haven’t looked back since.

“The Townswomen are amazing – I call them the wind beneath my wings!”

In true community style, the new hub was decorated by committee members volunteering their time. It was kitted out using generous donations from local companies including Steak, Rattle & Roll, Travis Perkins, D Gill and NV Roofing.

It helps provide company for people of all ages who feel isolated and lonely, while local youngsters use it to learn about local history. As a result, the hub has helped the different generations who live in High Heath engage with each other.

“My wife and I wanted to say thank you to the community, by creating a platform for them to use to benefit the community,” H said.

Now H is hoping that other small businesses will follow his approach.

“I have learnt that, as a small business, you have got to play to your strengths – so reach out to the community around you, the people who use your services. Big national companies just can’t do what we do. On a personal level, I have found it’s actually good for my mental health too.”

That can-do spirit is also improving the wellbeing of the community, through all kinds of activities.

Thanks to a great relationship with Ormiston Shelfield Academy, H has helped local school children who were struggling with discipline to link up with Birmingham City Boxing Club and Wildstar Boxing Club, to find a new direction and steer away from crime. In addition, a ‘tree jamboree’ with the school saw sapling trees given out to locals to plant. School children were also heavily involved with hub users who have helped clean up the neighbourhood with nearly a dozen litter picks. Coca Cola, one of the key sponsors of the national Keep Britain Tidy campaign, were so impressed by these clean-ups that they provided litter-picking equipment, gloves and high-viz jackets to the hub.

Loneliness is being addressed at the hub with regular friendship cafés, cinema clubs and knit natter/craft sessions. The Royal Mail also help deliver leaflets for these services, while South Staffordshire Water, Walsall Council and Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton all use it to reach out to locals via regular surgeries.

Recent additions to the fast-growing hub are Adult Social Services, free CPR training, safety talks and free equipment from West Midlands Fire Service. The committee of High Heath hub is hoping that even more people in the community get involved and contribute.

“In nearly 30 years of trading, we see our community as an extended family,” H said. “I think the hub has shown that, in High Heath, community spirit is alive and kicking.”

Community Spirit: Countdown to Pelsall Carnival

It may still be many months away, but for the dedicated team of volunteers who organise the annual Pelsall Carnival the countdown to this year’s event has begun.

The Chamber of Trade instigated the revival of the Carnival in 1972. They formed a sub-committee to take it on made up of friends Arthur Evans, Ray Gilbert and Morris Smith and Ray Swain. This year will see the 49th Carnival which will parade and wind its way through the streets of the village.

And for the volunteers behind the event, led by Chairman Steve Swain, son of one of the original founders, the hard work is NOW starting to get ready for the big day on Saturday, July 4th.

“It just continues to grow, and gets bigger every year,” said volunteer Diane Leese. “It’s one of those wonderful traditional carnivals where floats parade around the village, and the residents come out to watch and cheer.”

Vehicles and drivers for the floats are provided by local haulage firm J Hayward & Son, who have supported the carnival for years.

“They donate all the lorries and drivers free of charge for the procession,” explained Diane, “They are absolutely brilliant, and we couldn’t do it without them. We are so grateful for their support because the floats are a very important part of the carnival.

“The floats are created by schools, nurseries, sports clubs, people wanting to promote their businesses – all kinds of people. They choose a theme, then come in early on the day and dress the floats for the parade.”

The parade, which also includes marching bands, walking groups, individuals and other vehicles like tractors, winds its way around the village streets before ending at the ancient village common, where the carnival itself takes place and the carnival queen is crowned. On the way, the floats collect money from the crowd which is then donated to local organisations.

And at the head of the procession is the Carnival Queen, keeping up a tradition that has been celebrated for half a century.

“It’s really important that there’s a Carnival Queen,” said Diane, “This year the competition to pick the Queen is being held on Sunday 26th April, at the community centre at 1.15pm, and we would like to see lots of youngsters get involved – after all, the Queen is the face of the carnival!”

Entrants can fill in an application form via Pelsall Carnival’s Facebook page in order to enter the contest, which will also select the Queen’s attendants who ride with her on the lead float.

But the real contribution of Pelsall Carnival to village life is the incredible amount of money it raises to help local groups and good causes.

Every October a presentation evening is held at Pelsall Community Centre, when dozens of groups are handed cheques for small but important amounts that help life in the village tick over for another year.

“A small amount of money can make a lot of difference to some of these charities,” explained Diane, “£200 donated to Pelsall Musical Society is an awful lot of money for them. Community groups benefit massively from it.

“The carnival is all about community spirit, really – it’s a brilliant showcase for the village and its people.

“We are so lucky that it is still going, there are so few of these carnivals left now, it is lovely to keep it going here.”

Each year after the parade the common comes alive with activities, stalls, side shows, bouncy castles and slides. The Carnival also gives local organisations the opportunity to raise their profile. There are vintage cars to marvel at and a dog show for local pooches to strut their stuff. In the arena area there is non-stop entertainment from variety of performers, such as dance and gymnastic groups, martial art displays, marching bands and the fire cadets. It’s a real slice of English life and we are always looking for local groups to showcase their talent.

There is also a huge car boot sale with up to 200 cars. It opens at 7.30am and continues throughout the day. It’s always extremely well supported by traders large and small and is a great place to find a bargain! This also raises a substantial amount of money for the carnival.

On the other side of the common, Jones’ Fun Fair usually offers thrill rides and games.

Now, as the countdown begins to this year’s event, the organisers are sending out a plea for more volunteers to swell their ranks.

“We have a very small number of organisers – I would say there are just 12 active members – and we really want to try and get some more support,” Diane said. “We’re looking for people to join the committee and support the carnival and/or just help on the day. We all bring different skills and experience to the organisation of the Carnival and for it to continue to thrive and grow we need more help and fresh input. We also fundraise throughout the year to support the Carnival and “many hands make light work!”

“If there are local businesses that would like to get involved or sponsor the event in some way that would be wonderful too. The cost of staging the Carnival is massive for such a small organisation and we cover this mainly through advertising/programme sales and fundraising through the year. For instance, we desperately need new collection buckets, but have to find the money from somewhere to purchase them.

“I think the carnival has been going for so long that people take it for granted and perhaps don’t realise what goes into making it happen.

“We’d like more people to get involved, lend a hand and join the fun. Anyone who has supported the carnival over the years will appreciate the significance and importance of it and all that it embodies.

“Next year with be the 50th carnival in Pelsall, and it would be great to get a few new faces in to help us ensure it carries on for another 50 years!”

For any information on the carnival and associated events, or if anyone can volunteer to help, contact Diane: 07752 772 951 diane.leese58@gmail.com

Facebook page @Pelsall carnival (official)

Twitter: @pelsallcarnival

Some of the groups to benefit last year:

1st Pelsall Scout Group

3rd Pelsall Scouts Group

425 Squadron Welfare Fund (ATC)

Acorns Hospice

Back the Track (Pelsall to Brownhills Railway Path)

Circle of Friends

Guide Dogs for the Blind

McMillan Cancer Support

Midland Air Ambulance

Pelsall Community Association

Pelsall Disabled Persons Association

Pelsall Musical Society

Pelsall over 60’s Club

Pelsall Villa Colts

Pelsall Village School

Rushall Primary School

Ryders Hayes

St Giles Hospice

St Michael’s Church School