Wall Heath Community Association Registered Charity No. 522810 Newsletter - Winter 2019 Edition 15 Having long ago made the decision that for the first time in several years we would stage a Craft Fair, any last minute nerves that surfaced about the success of the event were unjustified. Quite naturally we worried that we may have to cope with bad weather and poor attendance, but these worries were unfounded. The Fair was advertised beyond the village boundaries and to our delight it worked! At a conservative estimate almost two hundred people came along not only to view but also to buy some of the high quality merchandise available on the eighteen stalls. As one visitor was heard to say, “I’ve done some Christmas shopping, seen people I haven’t seen for ages and been able to sit and chat with a cup of tea and piece of a tasty cake”. It was certainly a ‘community’ occasion and as a by-product of its success we have received enquiries from people interested in joining some of our groups. We are not too smug to think that everything was perfect and we are aware of where refinements and improvements can be made. We are confident that the Fair will be even better this year and several stall holders have already reserved places for Saturday 30th November.

This Newsletter is produced, edited and delivered to your door by Volunteers from Wall Heath Community Association 1 Wall Heath Community Association Wall Heath Horticultural Guild Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. February 5th Speaker t.b.a. March 5th Annual General Meeting April 2nd Around the Shows in 80 minutes - Stan Griffin May 7th Plant Sale - Fish & Chip Supper June 4th No Plot ... No Problem - Philip Aubury July 2nd Aliens in the Garden - Roger Umpleby Wall Heath Flower Club Meets every 4th Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm with N.A.F.A.S. demonstrators giving spectacular demonstrations of flower arranging. January 22nd “Touch of Gold” - Shirley Henderson February 26th AGM and Pot Luck Supper March 26th “Inspirations & Creations” - Michael Montecillo April 23rd “A Perfect Day” - Beverley Artis May 21st “A Touch of Romance” - Lorena Dyer Visitors are always welcome at £6 to include refreshments.

Melt butter, add to dry ingredients, mix well. Spread in a lined Swiss Roll tin. Prick all over with a fork. Shortbread Bake for 45 mins at 150°C / 140°C fan assisted. 285g (10 oz.) Plain Flour When cooked, sprinkle with a little 85g (3 oz.) Ground Rice more caster sugar. 85g (3 oz.) Caster Sugar Cut into fingers whilst warm. Allow to go cold in the tin. 227g (8 oz.) Butter Have you got a favourite recipe you would like to share? Please give it to Karen Page at the Community Centre or email it to [email protected] 2 Wall Heath Community Association

50 Plus Club Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 2pm. January 23rd “The Strangest Laws” - Chris Smith February 13th “Aspects of the First World War” - Mike Sampson February 27th Annual General Meeting - Bring & Buy March 13th “ Glass ... A History” - Kate Round March 27th “ Rock Houses” - David Bills April 10th “Origin of Place and Street Names” - Dave Butler-Hollington April 24th Entertainment - Singer / Guitarist Alan Westwood May 8th “Grandma’s Remedies” - John Mobberley May 22nd “Clean and Decent - A History of Personal Hygiene” - Nigel Metcalfe June 12th “The End of the End of the Pier Show” - Neil Roberts June 26th “Beer, Bets and Bull-Baiting” - Mary Bodfish July 10th Strawberry Tea with Singer Tanya Thursday Afternoon Club The club meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 2pm, with guest speakers, illustrated talks, theatre visits and outings. January 17th The Rise and Fall of Witley Court - Ray Sturdy February 7th Poetry and Pieces - Glenis Dawes February 14th Meal at The Lodge, February 21st Norfolk Broads Windmills and Churches - Roger Haliwell March 7th Charity Bring and Buy March 21st What’s in a Name! - Anne Clarke April 4th Harvington Hall - Pat Green April 18th John Sparry - as himself ... plus Hot Cross Buns May 2nd Outing ... to be confirmed May 16th English Civil War in Warwickshire - Max Keen June 6th Dudley Canal Tunnel - Holly Wain June 20th Churchill Forge Mill - Dave Galley July 4th Singer - Alexandria ... plus Strawberry Tea Please take note: Check your Calendar / Programme as we are not meeting every week during term time as before, but every 1st and 3rd Thursday in the month.

3 2018 Poppies Project When we floated our Poppies Project even the most optimistic amongst us could not have anticipated the response. Over two thousand poppies were produced by so many people, not only by members of the Association but also, most encouragingly, by residents of the village. The display was masterminded by Linda and Tony Hickman and we thank and congratulate them on their input. The Association has purchased a ‘Silent Soldier’ which formed part of the display. This will be on permanent display on the wall adjacent to the entrance. Valete For over ten years, Chris Cornaby has fastidiously ensured that the inside of our buiding has been cleaned to a standard that has been the envy of other Community Centres in the area. Chris has also ensured that the building was always open on time for individuals and organisations who hire the Centre and just as importantly ensured that the building was locked at the end of the hiring time and not left open and unattended. Wall Heath born and bred, Chris has been an important asset to us and we wish her well in her retirement.

Seven years ago our 50 Plus section was in danger of folding because of what is a recurring theme for many societies / organisations, a dearth of persons willing to take on the responsibility of holding office.. Luckily for us, Jan and Colin Storey stepped into the breach and ensured that the section has continued to thrive. Although no longer ‘running the show’, Jan and Colin will continue to attend the Wednesday afternoon meetings. Salvete We welcome aboard Leighsa Allport who has volunteered to become Treasurer of both 50 Plus and also Thursday Club. Thank you Leighsa. Incidentally, Leighsa runs her own Card Making Workshop at the Community Centre on the last Monday of each month at 7pm.

Karen Page, our Community Centre Secretary, has now extended her duties to include the administration and provision of speakers for the 50 Plus Section. 4 Happy Centenary The Community Association was privileged to host the 100th Birthday celebration for Margaret Butcher which was organised by her daughter Peggy and sons Patrick and Michael. Margaret reached the milestone on 28th November. Margaret was born in Belfast, her mother sadly died from tuberculosis at just 28 years of age. Her father brought her to and that is where she stayed. Margaret met and married Percy, the family settling in Forge Lane in the late 1950s. For many years Margaret was a member of our Monday afternoon Indoor Bowls Section and was well into her nineties when she made her last appearance ‘on the green’. Despite relegation to a wheelchair, for a woman who used to walk everywhere, she is still thankfully playing with all her marbles. NB: Happy Centenary Ma!” is filed under Butcher’s Blog and the brief history of this remarkable lady is well worth reading. https://www.globerunner.org/11/happy-centenary-ma/

From Bowler to Stroller! David Walker, a regular at our Monday afternoon Bowls Section is playing football for the holders of a National Cup. Hartshill Strollers are WFA Over- 65s National Cup Champions - walking football’s equivalent of the FA Cup. Be careful with those hamstrings, David!

How well do you know Wall Heath? Join us on Thursday 30th May at 2pm for a stroll round the village with John Sparry. The cost of £2 per person will include tea and cake at the Community Centre. Places are limited to 25 so apply early to Karen Page at the Community Centre. Tel. 01384 273744, email [email protected]

Cleaner Needed Wall Heath Community Association requires a Cleaner. Hours by arrangement. Duties also include opening and closing the premises for groups using the building. Applications to Karen Page, tel: 01384 273744, email [email protected] or by post to The Community Centre, Enville Road, Wall Heath, , DY6 0JT. 5 Village Bears Holiday Club

Our holiday club operates from the Community Centre throughout school holidays for school aged children. Opening times are 8am till 6pm – full days and half days available.

We provide an itinerary of activities / trip days planned in advance so parents are able to choose and select sessions they require. Alongside our itinerary we provide an array of activities and resources such as:

• Board Games • Playdough • Cold Cooking • Team Games • Construction • Role Play (dressing up, shop, vets) • Small World • Arts & Crafts • Books • Playstation • Den Making and much more

Our prospectus is available to view on our website: www.villagebearsnursery.co.uk If you would like further information, or want to discuss availability, please contact: • Clare (Part Owner / Holiday Club Manager) – 01384 279 156 • Tina (Holiday Club Deputy) – 07960 618 556 • Email: [email protected]

6 Wall Heath Community Association Christmas Draw - Winners Thank you for supporting this important fund raising event. The winners were: 0679 Mark Jones £100 0705 Jacky Standish Family Voucher to Dudley Zoo 0222 Tim Millan £25 Ashwood Nurseries Voucher 0149 Pam Baker Tea for Two at Ashwood Nurseries 0178 Barry Slack Whisky 0143 Cynthia Priest Christmas Cake 0658 Joan Dando Sherry 0162 Mary Hickman Wall Heath Beauty Rooms Voucher 0331 Ann Webster Wine 0610 Mona Martin Chocolates 0121 Janet Pardoe Box of Biscuits 0084 Bob Harbon Plant Annual Annual Skittles Evening General Meeting at The Community Centre Tuesday 12th March 2019 Enville Road, Wall Heath 11.00 am Saturday 9th March 2019 Attendance is open to all 7.00 pm members of Wall Heath Tickets £7.00 each Community Association. includes mini-fish & chips Annual membership costs Contact Karen Page on £2 per person and entitles 01384 273744 members to attend Bring your own all Sections organised by Drinks and Glasses the Association.

7 Wall Heath Community Association Registered Charity No. 522810 What’s happening in your Community Centre, at a glance! DAY TIME ACTIVITY Monday 10.00am Age UK Short Mat Bowls (1st & 3rd Monday) 10.00am Age UK Kurling (2nd & 4th Monday) 10.30am Crafty Chatters 2.00pm Short Mat Bowls Club 5.00pm Taekwon-do 7.00pm Card Making Workshop (Last Monday) 8.00pm Ballroom/Latin Dance Classes (Adult) Tuesday 10.30am Sergeant Pepper’s Friendship Club 2.00pm Kurling 7.30pm Horticultural Guild (1st Tuesday) 7.30pm Musicians Club (2nd Tuesday) 7.30pm Flower Club (4th Tuesday) Wednesday 10.15am Tai Chi - Active Seniors 2.00pm Fifty Plus Club (2nd & 4th Wednesday) 5.00pm Contemporary Dance (Ages 3-16 yrs) Thursday 9.45am & 11.00am Active Seniors 2.00pm Thursday Afternoon Club (1st & 3rd Thursday) 7.30pm Flower Arranging Friday 5.00pm Taekwon-do 7.30pm Line Dancing Saturday 8.30am Slimming World Sunday 1.00pm Liberate Youth Theatre (Ages 4-16 yrs) To enquire about booking the hall or for further information regarding any of the groups please contact: Karen Page Tel: 01384 273744 E-mail: [email protected] Wall Heath Community Centre, Enville Road, Wall Heath DY6 0JT. Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11.00 am - 12.30 pm www.wallheathcommunitycentre.co.uk 8