Bloxwich Launchpad to replace former post office

Bloxwich Launchpad, a promising new development situated in the heart of Bloxwich town centre, is set to become a hub for residents seeking digital support and training, while also providing a conducive space for budding entrepreneurs to nurture and expand their ventures.

The visual representation of Bloxwich Launchpad reveals an impressive building with a grey and sandy colour palette, adorned with a prominent green sign proclaiming its identity as “Launchpad Bloxwich.”

The ground floor of the former post office building will house the Digital Access Centre, strategically positioned for the convenience of Bloxwich residents seeking assistance in enhancing their digital proficiency. Through collaborative efforts with local partners, community groups, and stakeholders, this center aims to offer a diverse array of services to cater to the needs of the community.

On the first floor, an exciting transformation awaits, as it evolves into an Incubation Center equipped with essential amenities such as meeting rooms, crafting spaces, and a print room, all designed to provide valuable support to entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

To bring this vision to life, a comprehensive refurbishment of the former Post Office in Market Place is in progress, with the goal of welcoming visitors to Bloxwich Launchpad by approximately September 2024.

“Bloxwich Launchpad represents an exhilarating and much-anticipated initiative that will empower residents to access essential digital skills support and training at a central, accessible location. Simultaneously, it provides a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs to flourish,” says Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council.

The recent relocation of the Post Office to Tradeworld (Home Bargains) on Bloxwich High Street, following its closure earlier in 2023, has paved the way for the Council’s acquisition of the former building. This acquisition is part of a broader strategy aimed at modernising and expanding facilities to bolster business growth and digital literacy within the borough.

The borough of Walsall is currently immersed in a transformative £1.5 billion investment program, with Bloxwich Launchpad representing one of five pivotal projects under the Bloxwich Town Deal. It has secured Government Town Deal funding as part of the larger £25 million allocation earmarked for Bloxwich.

Moreover, these collective initiatives under the Bloxwich Town Deal are set to enhance connectivity between Bloxwich and the wider Walsall area, fostering improved public transport options and promoting active travel routes.

For more detailed information, please visit the Walsall Council website: Bloxwich and Walsall Town Deal | Walsall Council.

Win Tickets To The BBC Good Food Show Winter 2023

Be inspired to create your very own showstopping recipes as you watch your culinary heroes cook up delicious seasonal dishes live on stage in the Big Kitchen. Grab your tickets to see favourites, including Nadiya Hussain, James Martin, The Hairy Bikers, Michael Roux, Gennaro Contaldo, Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisseries, and host Marcus Bean!

Taste the festivity

A whole stage is dedicated to the most wonderful time of the year. Take a seat at the Christmas Kitchen, hosted by Ruby Bhogal and get your festive fix, with live cookery demos of both sweet and savoury seasonal recipes. Simply drop into this FREE to attend stage, and allow the chefs and experts to wow you with their creative recipes.

The line-up of chefs and experts includes Becky Excell, who’ll be representing team Gluten-Free, ace baker Suzy Pela, the kings of quick, easy and delicious cooking Chris Baber, Craig & Shaun McAnuff (Original Flava), who’ll be bringing a Jamaican twist to the festivities, the wonderful chocolatier Paul A Young, slow-cooker pro Nathan Anthony (Bored of Lunch), and get prepared for the Chinese New Year with Suzie Lee.

Serving up a selection of festive showstoppers, take a seat in this FREE drop-in theatre and get ready to discover a whole host of alternatives to traditional Christmas meats…who knows, you might even find your new centrepiece for lunch ahead of the big day. There’s a fantastic line-up of chefs and experts making their way to the show, to provide plenty of recipe inspiration plus tips and tricks to enhance your cooking.

Shop, try and buy

The show will be packed full of hundreds of big brands and artisan producers for you to try and buy from. Whatever is on your shopping lists, they will have you covered. There are some seriously amazing and unique brands that your friends and family will love, from a range of festive sauces from The Welsh Saucery, tempting flavours of gin from Copper in the Clouds, bread dippers from Charlie & Ivy’s Oil Selection and mouth-watering sweet treats from the Chock Shop. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury or are looking to pick up new condiments to set your meals alight this festive season or simply want to pick up your favourite Christmas tipple, we guarantee you will not go home empty-handed.

More interactive than ever before

There are more hands-on experiences at this year’s show. Get involved in interactive workshops from Sweet Treats to Cocktail Masterclasses and so much more. Take the opportunity to test your taste-buds, expand your festive foodie knowledge and enjoy tasting outstanding, delicious products in the Fabulous Food Finds Tasting Theatre. Hosted by speciality food and drink expert, Katy Truss, Fabulous Food Finds sessions are designed to introduce you to quality products with a real wow factor.

The sessions this year include artisan Cheese Tastings, single-origin Coffee Sampling, plus a very special festive edition of the popular Mystery Tasting.

Plus, discover a new favourite tipple at the BBC Good Food Wine Club Tasting Theatre! From English Sparkling to Sherry and Port, you’ll get all the advice, recommendations and tasting opportunities to have a fantastic drinks menu come the big day.

Win tickets to the BBC Good Food Show Winter 2023

To be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Good Food Show, simply answer the question: “Who will be hosting the Christmas Kitchen?”

You can enter via Facebook or by sending an email to community@pioneermagazines.co.uk with the subject header: “Good Food Show Tickets”.

Entries close on Monday 13 November and one winner will be announced on Facebook on November 14.

The tickets are not valid for Saturday entry.

Good luck!

Remembrance Day Parades And Services In Walsall – 2023

Residents of Walsall are preparing to pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

Consequently, there are a number of parades and services across the borough taking place on Sunday 12 November 2023.

Remembrance Day – Walsall Cenotaph

The main service will take place in Bradford Place at the Cenotaph and will be led by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Chris Towe and the Reverend Canon Rob Hall, vicar of St, Paul’s and St. Luke’s. Sir John Crabtree, the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands will join other military veterans and representatives of the armed forces to lay the wreath.

The parade will start at 10.25am from Hatherton Road as it makes its way to Bradford Place at 10.35am. The service will commence at 10.40am, with two minutes silence at 11am. All residents are invited to attend.

Other Walsall Remembrance Day parades and services 

Friday 10 November 2023

  • Barr Beacon War Memorial – 10.45am – Laying of the wreath
  • The Green, Blakenall Health – 10.45am – Parade and wreath laying

Sunday 12 November 2023

  • Aldridge War Memorial – 10.45 am
  •  Bloxwich Cenotaph – 10.45am
  •  Moxley Cenotaph – 10.30am
  • Pelsall Cenotaph – 10.50am
  •  Streetly War Memorial – 10.45am
  • Willenhall Cenotaph – 10.45am
  • Walsall Wood War Memorial – 2pm

Huge Trailer Full Of Waste Dumped In Walsall

Environmental officers from Walsall Council are investigating the abandonment of a 40ft trailer filled with waste that was discovered on Skip Lane.

The trailer, which is suspected to be linked to a organised crime incident, was recovered on October 31 and taken to the Fryers Road waste station in Bloxwich for examination.

Councillor Gary Perry, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resilient Communities, said:

“This is an irresponsible and dangerous act of fly-tipping. The people who did this have shown no regard for the environment or the local community.

Fly-tipping is a serious problem and we take it very seriously. We will do everything we can to track down the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. I urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and report it to us. We will follow up on all leads.”

Anyone with information is encourage to call the fly-tipping hotline on: 01922 653300.