April 2024 - Pioneer Magazines

Walsall Arboretum looks spectacular in new drone footage

A unique view of Walsall Arboretum, which explores its 170 acres of land, offers a new perspective on the town’s popular historic park.

Utilising a drone, Walsall Council has launched the footage on YouTube ahead of the 150^th anniversary celebrations of the Walsall Arboretum.

“Residents and visitors can now experience the beauty of this historic park from a breathtaking aerial perspective. We hope these visuals will inspire people to come and see it for themselves and experience the Arboretum’s magic,” said Jaki Brunton-Douglas, Healthy Spaces team manager at Walsall Council.

Check out the footage.

The anniversary celebrations take place on Saturday May 4 from 12-7pm. The line-up includes a host of music acts across two stages, as well as boat rides and the re-opening of the miniature railway.

Walsall to boost Early Years sector staff with £1,000 cash incentive

Walsall Council is one of twenty local authorities that is taking part in a new initiative to recruit more staff into the early years sector.

The recruitment drive will give approved childcare providers a cash incentive of £1,580. While £580 can be set aside for tax and national insurance payments, the remaining £1,000 will be given to the new starter.

To be eligible for the funding, providers must be registered to offer Early Education Funding, be located in Walsall and request permission from the Council to use the incentive in job adverts.

Providers can apply for the funding here.

The £1,000 incentive will be for new starters, or those returning to early years work if they haven’t worked for a childcare provider over the last six months. The new position must also be permanent and they must be working with children for 70% of the time.

Walsall Schools to take part in National Dental Survey

A National Dental Survey will be taking place in June in all Walsall infant and primary schools that involves all reception and year 1 children.

Parents should soon be receiving a consent form that gives permission for their child to take part in the survey. On the day, a dental nurse and a dentist will check your child’s mouth in order to provide data to the NHS to help improve dental care programmes in the borough.

“Children’s dental health matters and it is important children are as healthy as possible,” said Nadia Inglis, Interim Director of Public Health at Walsall Council. “We encourage parents and carers to involve their children aged 5-years old to be part of the survey by completing and returning the consent form to their school”.

Parents are reminded that the survey does not replace their child’s regular check-up.

Walsall launches free support for arguing parents

Walsall Council has launched a new campaign for parents who argue frequently.

The service aims to work with families and provide one-to-one support by trained professionals to help break the cycle.

Awareness for the campaign will be promoted over the coming months through various organisations, including community groups, librarys and the police service.

“Firstly, it’s important to remind our residents that it is completely normal to have conflict or arguments during our everyday lives,” said Councillor Stacie Elson, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Walsall Council.

“But, in some cases, due to various reasons, parents may find themselves disagreeing or arguing often, in ways that are affecting not only them, but other family members around them too, such as their children.

“We really want to let families know that if this is something they think they could do with some help with, support is available at Walsall Council.

“There is absolutely zero judgement or shame in needing support, and our highly trained team have worked with so many families to completely change the way they work through conflict together, in a way that doesn’t have detrimental effects upon family members’ emotional and social health.

“Parenthood is hard, and relationships can easily become strained, so don’t be afraid to access the support if you need it. “

The support will be provided via Walsall Council’s family hubs.

Line-up and date confirmed for Walsall Arboretum’s anniversary celebration

The line-up of acts and the date of this year’s anniversary celebrations at Walsall Arboretum have been confirmed.

The live music event which celebrates the 150^th anniversary of the public park will take place on Saturday 4 May, 2024 between 12pm and 7pm with free entrance.

As well as traditional games and boat rides across the lake, the miniature railway will be up and running for families to enjoy.

Alongside food stalls and bars, there are two stages with live music to entertain the crowds, including an appearance by all-female Slade tribute band, Slady.

Hosted by DJ Dicky Dodd, the following acts have been confirmed:

Main Stage

Slady
Midnight Crossing
Inareko
Noise Candy
Voices Entwined Choir
The West Midlands Concert Band
The City of Birmingham Brass Band

Acoustic Stage

Aayushi Jain
Jessai Dessai
Gavin Medza
The Clarkes & Co
Christopher Crompton
Plus many more!

Numerous community groups will also be in attendance, as well as the Glorishears of Brummagem Morris Dancers and special talks with the likes of the Wildlife Management Forum and guided history tours.

New sculpture trail celebrates art and nature harmony at Reedswood Park

A new sculpture trail at Reedswood Park designed to represent the harmonious coexistence of art and nature, features artwork that appeared at The New Art Gallery as part of the National Lottery-funded ‘Bee Inspired Walsall’ project.

Commissioned by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, local artist Daisy Askins created a series of sculptures using natural materials that were exhibited at the gallery from July to September 2023. These sculptures are now strategically placed around Reedswood Park, forming a trail where visitors can admire the art and scan QR codes to learn more about bumblebee conservation efforts.

“The aim is to spark an interest in the importance of bumblebees and inspire conversations about our wild friends, the bumblebees”, said Gurinder Atwal, Outreach and Volunteering Manager at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

“Thanks to the players of the National Lottery, this installation will provide a real talking point and encourage communities to champion the UK’s bumblebees by using the QR codes accompanying the artwork to find out more information on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website.

“This milestone wouldn’t be attainable without the unwavering support of Richard McVittie and his team for their assistance in the installation, Daisy Askins for her brilliant artwork, and the invaluable guidance from Zoë Lippett from The New Art Gallery Walsall.”

Walsall Arboretum becomes a recognised Ancient Tree Site

On the year of its 150^th anniversary, the Walsall Arboretum and country park has been officially designated as an Ancient Tree Site, the first of its kind in the West Midlands.

The accolade was issued by the Woodland Trust based on the huge number of ancient and veteran trees. While the area boasts approximately 130 veteran trees, 17 of them are considered ancient, between 150 and 800 years old.

“This designation is timely as the Arboretum celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024,” said Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces at Walsall Council

“It is wonderful news for Walsall and its wildlife. This designation places the Arboretum in the same company as Chatsworth, Richmond Park and Windsor Great Park. We thank the Woodland Trust for recognising the quality and importance of our premier green space, but also want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of local resident and Woodland Trust volunteer Mike Glasson, who has tirelessly surveyed the trees in the park over a number of years. “

Walsall Council plans to celebrate the Arboretum’s 150^th anniversary in style with events taking place across the May bank holiday weekend.

Triathlon England teams up with Walsall Council for new health and wellbeing plan

Triathlon England has teamed up with Walsall Council to deliver a new plan aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of local residents.

The focal point of the collaboration is Birchills, which has been earmarked as one of 17 priority zones under Triathlon England’s initiative, ‘The Big Active’. Plans will now be laid out to help the Birchills community get more active through the likes of walking, swimming and cycling.

“It’s great to work closely with Walsall Council to support local people to get active and improve their health and wellbeing,” said Helen Marney, Director of Development, British Triathlon.

“The council has recently created more active travel routes and we’re looking forward to helping people make the most of them as well as taking advantage of the fantastic green spaces and leisure centres available to them. “

The partnership follows work by Walsall Council with the Canal and River Trust to make travel routes around the borough more accessible. This includes improving tow paths in Bloxwich and Willenhall to create more efficient cycle routes.

Spotlight shines on Streetly micropub

Staff and customers alike are raising a glass or two at the popular Brewhouse Micropub in Streetly after scooping the prestigious award of “West Midlands Pub of the Year” from its local Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch.

The Brewhouse team celebrate their success along with members of CAMRA.

The award winner was chosen by Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield CAMRA volunteers and featured 23 pubs that were judged on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, community focus and the quality of the beer.

On receiving the award, which was presented by Chairman of the local CAMRA branch, George Greenaway, and CAMRA National Executive Director, Gary Timmins, pub manager Andrea McCarthy told Pioneer Magazines: “I was flabbergasted, over the moon! We couldn’t have done it without our fantastic staff and customers.”

Opening in 2018 by landlords Michelle and Colin Stephens, the cosy micropub has gained a reputation among locals for its friendly atmosphere and superb selection of hand-picked real ales, craft ales and gins (they also do a sumptuous Sunday cheese board!).

“We choose beers and other drinks based on what we know our customers like, and always have three quality guest ales on,” said Andrea.

“Some of our best-sellers are an award-winning lager called ABK Hell, a Cornish cider called Rattler, and an Irish Stout called Forged from Conor McGregor’s Porterhouse Brewery.”

Beer Guide Approved

Featured in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, the Brewhouse also likes to surprise their patrons with novelty beers. Most recently, this included a green beer and the “World’s Strongest Fortified Beer” called Snake Venom, which was available for one night only, boasting an eye-watering 67.5% ABV!

Always keen to create a community vibe, the Brewhouse frequently looks for ways to bring people together and is planning a special evening of “Last Night of the Proms” to celebrate St. George’s Day on 23 April, which will include a rousing rendition of “Land of Hope and Glory”.

“Community is at the heart of the Brewhouse,” said Andrea. “It’s the perfect place to me.”

On presenting the award, CAMRA’s Gary Timmins emphasised the importance of community, stating that: “The Pub of the Year competition is not just a reflection of great beer. It’s great beer, in a great location, with great people. It’s an indication of the strength of a community in the area.”

The Brewhouse can be found on Boundary Road on the Hundred Acre estate, Streetly. It opens Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm to 10.30pm, Friday from 3pm to 10.30pm, Saturday from 12.00pm to 22.30pm, and Sunday from 12pm-9pm.