Aldridge businesses are being invited to take part in a special fundraising project, inspired by 9 year old Ben Sambrook from Aldridge, who was treated for a Brain Tumour. Ben Sambrook Viva Las Vegas Event

Fire at Ruby takeaway in Aldridge on Friday 16th May 2008
The Ruby Chinese takeaway and flats above were atended by three fire crews, police and ambulance services. Customers and staff from nearby shops were evacuated leaving some customers from the nearby hairsalon on the pavement having an "Alfresco hair cut" Local resident Jo Yarnall managed to capture the whole story unfolding with a camera !

CHANGES TO BUS ROUTES
Bus Service 118 which operates between Aldridge and The Fort via Streetly, Kingstanding, New Oscott and Erdington will be changing hands in April after current operator Central Connect decided to withdraw the service, along with Service 113X (Aldridge – Birmingham via Streetly).
Although Service 113x will not be replaced, Central Buses Ltd will be taking over Service 118 from Sunday 27th April 2008. The service will operate hourly, Monday to Saturday, between Streetly, Hardwick Arms and Erdington Six Ways.

For further information contact
Geoff Cross
Central Buses Ltd
177 New Town Row, Birmingham, B6 4QZ
Tel 07841 917846
Fax 0870 1992923
E-Mail geoff.cross@centralbuses.com

New rail services linking Birmingham to places like Aldridge, Streetly, Castle Bromwich, Minworth, The Fort and Walmley are being investigated by Centro. The West Midlands public transport body is funding studies that will look at linking Birmingham with a number of possible new routes. It has commissioned the research, which if positive, could be a first step towards a series of vital new services. The plans include at least two new services an hour between Birmingham and Tamworth, calling at new stations at Kingsbury, Castle Bromwich and The Fort. Trains on the route would also call at the new £9 million Coleshill Parkway Station and at Wilnecote and Water Orton. They are also looking at services that would travel through Sutton Park between Walsall and Water Orton, calling at new stations in Aldridge, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, Walmley and Minworth. Key to the plans is the proposed implementation of new Chord lines in Bordesley, which would allow new and existing services to access the newly refurbished Birmingham Moor Street station. Consultants Halcrow are carrying out the study and are due to complete it by November 2008. They will be looking at the cost, as well as key issues like overcrowding. Planners and economists will also assess passenger demand, congestion, emissions and accidents. Councillor Gary Clarke, chairman of Centro, said: "If these plans are realised, they will build on the significant investment already seen in regional rail network over recent years.

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Four Seasons Garden

Marie and Tony Newton
26 Buchanan Road
Walsall WS4 2EN
website:  www.fourseasonsgarden.co.uk
email: fourseasonsgarden@btinternet.com


Charity Open Days in 2008
May 10 Saturday (Walsall Deaf People’s Centre)
May 11 Sunday (National Garden Scheme and Walsall Heart Care)
May 17 Saturday (Epilepsy Charities)
May 18 Sunday (National Garden Scheme and Walsall Heart Care)
July 27 Sunday (Walsall National Trust)
August 9 Saturday (Samaritans of Walsall and District)
August 10 Sunday (National Garden Scheme and Walsall Heart Care)

10am - 6pm every open day           
Admission £3, children free          
Tea and biscuits extra
Note: There are some steps.   Toilet at garden level.


During 2007 we had 1300 visitors to our five open days and raised £3,382, which was shared between Macmillan Cancer Support, Walsall Heart Care and the British Heart Foundation.

Our garden was the winner of the of the Walsall in Bloom Large Rear Garden category in 2006, and then in 2007 we won the Daily Mail National Garden Competition.  We were amazed to be awarded first place out of 2000 entrants. There was a severe frost at the end of May - just two days before the judges' first visit, but worse than that was the torrential rain during May, June and July leading up to the final judging.

We still feel on a high from winning the Daily Mail National Garden Competition because until last year we had no idea what national judges would think of our garden.  We have never tried to copy anyone else although we have been inspired by various places such as Exbury and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. 

In September we were delighted to be invited to join the National Garden Scheme ("The Yellow Book") for 2008. 

In 1982 we moved to Buchanan Road and over the last 15 years, without outside help, we have dramatically re-landscaped and re-planted. We have won the battle with weeds, built a chalet store, summer house, large wooden oriental pagoda, smaller pagoda and created four water features, including a cascading 17 metre stream. In planting, we especially contrast bold shapes and forms and the colours red, blue and yellow. By timely and meticulous pruning of all plants we can orchestrate the whole garden to appear at its best at different times of the year. Some of our tropical themes were inspired by our travels abroad and a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

We now have a garden for all seasons and all ages.

From early February huge numbers of hellebores, camelias and spring bulbs are flowering.  The garden is breathtaking in May with a stunning array of azaleas and the new growth of acers and conifers. These plants then provide the backdrop to display the summer riot of colour in the upper garden from pelargonium, begonias and mass summer bedding. In August the perennials are dramatic in the lower garden. By summer, children and adults love the exciting jungle with its mist and tropical bird sounds. Youngsters also enjoy the stone animals, windchimes and bridges. In autumn, the rich hues of the virginia creeper are followed by vibrant colour change in the acers, azaleas, cotinus and other deciduous plants. In winter, the red acer Senkaki stems are magnificent, offset against the blue and yellow conifers and bright holly. Lighting in the trees creates a magical atmosphere, especially when plants are draped in snow.

Are you interested in the exciting world of Fashion Design? Are you ages 16 to 21 years of age and living or have been educated in the Midlands Region? Then enter the Midlands Young Fashion Designers competition by the end of March for your chance to win £500.00 prize money, trophies, and certificate of achievements together with promotion of the winning designs. The overall winner will be announced at our prestigious awards ceremony in Birmingham , which will be attended by fashion industry professionals. We are also looking for models, fashion and Hair stylists, makeup artists, entertainers and photographers to work with us on a voluntary basis. Please send all enquiries to fashion designers

Free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation is available to any Walsall ratepayer aged 70 or over.
Contact Hayley Campbell on 01922 652 123. Walsall Council, Housing Standards and Improvements.

Free venue for non-profit organisations
The Innkeepers Lodge on Chester Road, next to the Parson and Clerk, is offering free access to its meeting room facilities to registered charities. This includes use of a LCD computer projector and screen, flip charts, TVs and videos. There is plenty of parking and disabled access. The room can accommodate 20 people for a business style meeting or up to 50 for a sit down event. The rooms will be available on a first come first served basis. 'Phone the duty manager on 0121 353 7785.

Walsall M.B.C. Draft Sustainable Community Strategy
The draft Sustainable Community Strategy provides a vision for Walsall in the year 2021 and sets out our priorities for the next 6 years. We have listened to local people and this is an opportunity for you to tell us how important the priorities that we have developed so far, are to you. Your response will influence the key things that service providers do and how resources are allocated. Please take a about 4 or 5 minutes minutes to answer the following questions in the link below.
Walsall Draft Sustainable Community Strategy Questions

Photography in Streetly and Aldridge area is now being used to show how residents are proud of thier community and will work together with local communities and organisations including the Police in a bid to tackle and resolve any decline or damage in the area, nothing is more powerful ....than a picture !
See the photo Album

You are welcome to send Photographs of the local area to highlight those scenes and views you enjoy most, you may also wish to send any photo which brings attention to any area of damage or in need of repairs which can then be swiftly alerted to the correct people to take positive action.

Want to grumble, complain, and get results ? well.....NOW YOU CAN....Its official...complaints get noticed when you take a moment to write it down on a NEW "One off Issue" FORM. Down load it , fill the essential parts of the form, then choose, take it to your next CAG meeting, post it, or even save it on your pc then email back. The aim of this form is to report details regarding a "one-off issue" that any resident of Aldridge South or Streetly may choose. This information will be logged with a unique reference number. Once the completed form has been actioned you can obtain the latest status of your issue by contacting LNP officers Aliyaah Baines (01922 652284) or John Morris (01922 652029).

Jabez Cliff and Company Ltd which has the royal warrant as the royal family’s official saddle maker is planning to move into Aldridge from its present location on Lower Forster Street in Walsall. The proposed new site on Aldridge road by the Dilke Pub would allow customers with horse boxes to park, and will also include a hi-tech manufacturing area and a “ride in” custom-made saddle fitting service. The site already features 25 stables, a workshop, a open barn building and a store in a disused single storey property. The proposed plans will change the main building into a saddlery and bridle work manufacturing plant. Stables would be used for the company’s own horses and customers’ horses. A total of 34 parking spaces would be created and new vehicle access would be provided on Aldridge Road. Cliff Kirby Tibbits, a director at the company said the current building had served its time. He said: “Trade has changed and we have to adapt with it. The move will mean we are out in the country where people can bring their horses. After all where can people park with a horse box in Walsall town centre?” A report to Walsall Council’s development control committee states: “The new location and facilities for horses on site would enhance the company’s research and help develop programmes through the ability to trial and test new products on different-shaped horses and over jumps.” Planning permission was considered on January 29th with particular focus on conditions such as adequate means to drain the site.

Middlemore lane development proposal for 90 new homes
CBRE Investors proposals for Middlemore Lane, Aldridge
For more information please contact Andrew Johnson on 0207 152 4520 or
Email Andy Johnson
Consultation website

Aldridge road race sponsorship
Karen Waple is the Race Organiser for the Aldridge 10k Road Race which is being held on the 8th June 2008. We had a very successful event in 2007 and would like to better this in 2008. The race attracts many runners from the local community and has become a well established race on the Midlands calendar. I am seeking support in terms of sponsoring our event alongside some of the other businesses in the Aldridge area. On completion of the race, all our runners will be presented with a memento of the race. We estimate a field of around 500 in this year’s race and any help you can give us to build on the success of last year would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged in the build up to the event. As a club we make no profit from the race and support local charities with any proceeds made. In 2007 we donated £100 to each of five local charities - Walsall Heart Care, Acorns Hospice Walsall, Aldridge Parish Church, Aldridge Christmas Tree Appeal and the NSPCC. Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me by email or telephone as shown below.
Yours Sincerely,
Karen Waple.
Race Director.
Email Karen Waple
Telephone: 01922 457760

Your perfect picture service in Aldridge
Looking for that perfect picture....Well there is another option to this.... search for the the ideal picture. Your own pictures may be sitting in an album, on a disc, or hidden inside your computer somewhere! Rarely looked at and very often forgotten, these images could provide the soloution to your search without moving from your chair. With todays technology, your own photographs can be turned into works of art. These truly reflect our lives with images of our families, friends and our travels. Your images can be enlarged and printed onto canvas, art or photographic paper. They can be made to look like oil paintings, water colours, sepia toned, black and white - any style you like. The one thing that sets these images apart from any other in the world is that they are your creation. YOU ARE THE ARTIST! They are your original pieces of work so why not put them on display and impress your family and friends with your new found talent? We have a gallery of images of both customers and artists work available to buy. We can enlarge your photographs or other artwork creations and print them onto canvas, photographic paper or even art papers and art boards.
We provide a full framing service with a range of mouldings and mount colours or a range of stock ready made frames.
Photographs and paintings can be restored or repaired including the digital recontruction of damaged photographs with marks, scratches, tears, rips and a wide range of age related wear and tear damage.
We have artists who can paint portaits, landscapes, family pets and even produce a painting from your old photograph.
In the meantime if you wish for any help or advice please contact us: (please mention Aldridge website)

Leighswood Publishing Limited
Unit 10, Lion Industrial Park
Northgate Way
Aldridge
Walsall
WS9 8RL
Emails Enquiries welcome
Telephone: 01922 458424 Duncan Mitchell.

Parents....do you have German speaking children or children who wish to learn the language ?Local resident, Aisha, wants to maintain the German language of her young child and if there other parents interested maybe we can get together and organise a little group?, please contact Alan at Aldridge website for more information or to pass on your contact details, thankyou, Aisha in Aldridge.

Development vision of Aldridge upto the year 2021
Aldridge environmental, economic and social vision, objectives and strategy for the future development around Aldridge as part of wider plans leading ahead to 2021

Aldridge Parish Church
proposed extension to be built on St Mary's Church

Walsall People Ltd
A "not for profit, Social Enterprise" Provide Handyman, Gardener, and decorator services for Aldridge, Streetly and Walsall area.

Talking Pictures
Aldridge based group of artists have work on exhibition at R.A.F Cosford.

Mr Dusan Popratnjak, Chairman Aldridge Residents Association, is writing a book about Aldridge Manor House and would be very pleased to hear about you memories and stories to be included in the book and very interested in any old photographs.

You may contact Dusan by phone on 07790 446670 or by letter.

Mr Dusan Popratnjak
Mitype,
106, Whetstone Lane,
Aldridge,
Walsall,
West Midlands
WS9 OEU.

You may also send information to Alan at Aldridge website by using the contact link at the top of this page.

The Hearing Company offers a free hearing check and also a buy one hearing aid system and get one free opportunity to anyone who mentions that they have seen the information on Aldridge website. Getting to the Hearing Company in Walsall is really easy because all the Aldridge buses terminate directly opposite the shop in the Walsall bus station so its very easy to find. 3-4 Butlers Precinct, Walsall, WS1 1LF (facing the bus station) Call 01922 645580 and speak to the Hearing Aid Audiologist, Wendy Hodge.

Aldridge South & Streetly plus Aldridge North & Brownhills, Local Neighbourhood Partnership meetings are held on a regular basis to discuss local community issues including crime, facilities, services, planning proposals and any points raised by the public, see information for your local police, councillors & L.N.P.

Aldridge Neighbourhood watch News
The latest tips, advice & information from Kevin Pitt, the Community Partnerships Officer with Walsall police is now available on the Neighbourhood Watch Page

Free Personal Fitness Consultation
Total Personal Training offers a highly professional personal training service in Aldridge. More details TPT Free Consultation

Regular meetings of Aldridge LNP and CAG's

What is a (CAG) Community Action Group then?

CAGs have been set up to support the Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP). The CAGs provide support for you to make a difference and create positive change in your area. Through creating closer links between services and the community.

Safer and Stronger Communities CAG
Covering issues to do with creating safer and stronger communities and tackling environmental issues, such as recycling and street pride.

Health and People CAG
Covering issues related around health and people, in particular vulnerable people, young people and economic development.

What will you get out of attending?

• Real opportunities for you and your neighbours to have your say and be involved in improving the local area

• New ways of making organisations accountable for their services and performance

• Improved and co-ordinated public services that are more responsive to local needs

• A chance to use your local intelligence to help your local neighbourhood policing team and to make them aware of your community safety issues

Dates and Venues of Future Meetings available on the L.N.P. page

" Aldridge Agenda " is a summary of local issues, originally written by Councillor John Rochelle. These are details which have been presented at open public meetings like the Local Neighbourhood Partnership. I felt that it was so useful that it should be included here for your information, and i will keep adding further details as they become available.

BAY TREE HOUSE
A plan has been approved subject to consultation for HOUSING 21 who are taking over all WMBC Residential Homes to build a new Care Complex with each TENANT (new status) having an apartment rather than just a room. The development having many shared facilities such as a shop, lounge, restaurant and hairdressers etc. The proposed site is on Northgate between its junctions with Herbert Rd and Walsall Wood Rd. All residents of Baytree House and staff will be moved there in 2009. The existing site to be demolished and the land sold to help pay for the project.
APPLICATION NUMBER 07/2644/FL/E12
DESCRIPTION, 53 EXTRA CARE APARTMENTS, COMMUNAL FACILITIES, DAY-CARE CENTRE, PARKING AND ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPING at the now demolished site of NORTHGATE REHABILITATION CENTRE, NORTHGATE, Aldridge, WALSALL, WS9
APPLICATION TYPE FULL APPLICATION, DECISION DATE 29/02/2008.
OFFICER DEVINDER MATHARU, TELEPHONE 01922 652429
WARD ALDRIDGE/CENTRAL & SOUTH
DECISION DETAIL, GRANT PERMISSION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.

Aldridge LIBRARY
Enlarged internally for books computers and toilet facilities at the expense of office space.

PORTLAND ROAD
Due to be fully resurfaced and upgraded in 2008 as part of the Roll out programme. Residents have asked for the chicane to be resited and the hedge at the cottage severely cut back.

REDHOUSE SCHOOL SITE
The school has been demolished and plans submitted to sell part of the site for housing with some Green space and Community Establishment to be built. There is more than one proposal and it should be adjudicated on by a Government Department some time in July 2007.

MANOR HOUSE
It is now administered by the Childrens Directorate for Youth. Currently being refurbished with an Internet Café proposed. It is rented out to other users such as the Bowling Club who met there when it was part administered as a Community Association, It has been reported that the Manor house is still in a state of on going refurbishment and re-decoration, and that much of the building will become the offices for the staff of Walsall Youth Services with a significant cost saving made by vacating thier present rented offices.

WHG
Is undertaking a large modernisation programme.

Aldridge WAR MEMORIAL
Was refurbished in 2007. Lighting and a flagpole installed. Plus a citation to our only V.C. Charles Bonner.

BEACON VIEW
To be demolished and new housing for people with learning difficulties, purpose built to a more satisfactory design

STEPS IN ANCHOR ROAD
Repair and enhance with handrails, located directly outside Gala bingo club. Sadly, soon after installation these were partly dismantled by a number of people ( possibly for scrap metal value) however it is reported in April 2008 that both the persons responsible and the hand rails were found and taken to Aldridge police station.

ANCHOR ROAD COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD & BENCHES
Proposal to put these in place during April- May 2008 located at the entrance area of Shopping precinct along with some new benches. The new community notice board was installed in April 2008 and the recycled plastic benches will be installed nearby.

BRANTON HILL LANE & BLISS SAND AND GRAVEL.
A new access road is being costed to provide access to the Chester Rd. There will be some land needed to be sold for housing to enable this to be built. A number of executive houses preferred. Ongoing.

RAIL STATION
Proposals continue to be advanced therefore it is important to retain the land at the back of Anchor Meadow for a Carpark extension. At present it appears that the New Station for Aldridge may be built by 2018, however this issue is gaining more support and generating the attention of more people involved in the planning of transport and rail services, which could see the whole scheme pushed forward along with other rail plans for Walsall area and a new target date set along the lines of 2013....to be continued !

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A great deal of new build has been for Apartments so we think our area has built its share. New development already means that we are already the largest Ward in WMBC

FLIERS
Should we undertake Aldridge in Bloom or perhaps a Victorian Theme Day ?....any thoughts on this idea or other suggestions...why not email aldridge website ?

AIRPORT ADVENTURE CENTRE
Nearing completion of essential services, access road and carpark

CHRISTMASS TREE
Investigate planting a substantial tree on the Elms Island. In December 2007 a 24 foot cut tree with 1200 LED lights was installed with the help of donations from local residents, businesses owners and clubs.

41 & 43 LEIGHSWOOD ROAD
Demolish both commercial, industrial properties and replace with residential dwellings

PORTLAND ROAD FLATS
Site currently levelled and fenced off and more information soon to be available regarding proposed development of hight tech specification flats. The architects who drew up plans had originally been working on a target build date of 2008 yet the site still remains a vacant levelled plot with no signs of any construction.

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