Help local volunteer group Friends of Wom Brook during 2019

All work parties meet from 10am – midday.

Meet at Gravel Hill picnic benches.

For more information, call Anita on 01902 892187.

January – Saturday 5th & Thursday 17th

February – Saturday 2nd & Thursday 21st

March – Saturday 2nd & Thursday 21st

April – Saturday 6th & Thursday 18th

May – Saturday 4th & Thursday 16th

June – Saturday 1st & every Thursday

July – Saturday 6th & every Thursday

August – Saturday 3rd & every Thursday

September – Saturday 7th & every Thursday

October – Saturday 5th & Thursday 17th

November – Saturday 2nd & Thursday 21st

December – Saturday 7th & Thursday 19th

Non-members are welcome to any of the work parties, MORE HELP IS NEEDED WITH ALL TASKS in and out of the brook – litter collection, removal of fallen twigs, branches and selected vegetation both for the benefit of wildlife and flowers, and creating/maintaining an attractive, pleasing Wombrook Walk.

Don’t miss the latest Carnival news…

Wombourne’s Carnival Committee have announced via the Facebook page that the theme for the 2019 Carnival will be ‘Bringing books to life’.

The Carnival is taking place in the grounds of the Civic Centre on Sunday 7th July this year with the parade from 12pm until 1pm and the Carnival continuing until 4pm.

There will be an entertainment arena, food and drink stalls, charity and local business stalls, the Wombourne Women’s Institute show, quacky races, a fairground, competitions and a brilliant atmosphere.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/#!/Wombournecarnival for more informaiton or contact the Committee at Wombournecarnival@gmail.com

This week’s news from South Staffordshire Council 

• Be A Councillor

The Council is holding two ‘Be a Councillor’ sessions in the New Year on Tuesday 8 January 2019 from 1pm to 4pm and from 5pm to 8pm for people interested in standing as a Councillor in the elections next May. During the sessions, we will explain out what the Council does, what the role of a Councillor is and the important skills that Councillors need to have. Click here to find out more and to reserve a place at either of the sessions, please contact the Elections team.

Email: elections@sstaffs.gov.uk or call 01902 696231. 

• My Account reaches 3,000

This week, the number of My Account users exceeded its target and gained its 3000^th registration. Well done to the ICT team. 

• Warmer Homes – funding now available for broken gas boilers

Do you or anyone you know need help to replace an old or broken has boiler? Funding is available through the Council’s Warmer Homes scheme so please get in touch. Funding is for South Staffordshire residents on limited household incomes with hard to heat homes or for residents who are vulnerable to the cold through ill health or age. Please apply now before the funding runs out.

Warmer Homes South Staffordshire.

Freephone 0800 193 1902 or email info@mea.org.uk 

• South Staffordshire Connect to return in January

The South Staffordshire Connect dial-a-ride bus service will be returning to the areas of greatest demand in the district from Tuesday 15 January 2019. This local, bookable bus service will once again help many people who struggle to get out and about and it is aimed at residents who live away from regular bus routes or who find it difficult to use a standard bus.

The new Connect service will operate between 10am and 3pm on the following basis:

• Locality 3 (Great Wyrley, Cheslyn Hay, Essington, Featherstone, Shareshill, Wedges Mills and Hilton) on Tuesdays and Fridays. This service will connect with Cannock Bus Station.
• Locality 4 (Codsall/Bilbrook/Perton/Pattingham) on Tuesdays and Fridays.

• Locality 5 (Wombourne and the surrounding villages of Seisdon, Trysull, Lower Penn, Gospel End, Swindon and Himley) on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Further information about how to access the South Staffordshire Connect service will follow shortly. 

• Leisure Centres – festive opening times

Click here for your local South Staffordshire Leisure Centre opening times and programmes over Christmas and the New Year. 

• Green bin collections

Green bin collections have now finished for the year and will recommence from Monday 14 January 2019. Click here to view your bin collection dates. 

• UK Youth Parliament

Applications are now open for the 2019 Youth Parliament Elections in Staffordshire. The UK Youth Parliament provides opportunities for 11-18 year olds to encourage young people in their local area to make a difference on issues that matter to them. Four young people will be elected to represent Staffordshire at a national level and they will be in their role for one year, until February 2020. Applications close on Monday 7 January 2019.

For more information, please click here. 

• Lottery’s festive super draw

Buy a lottery ticket for the South Staffordshire Community Lottery and as well as the chance to win a £25,000 jackpot you could win six 50% off tickets to see the Sleeping Beauty pantomime at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Play today at www.southstaffslottery.co.uk or call 01902 213777 to find out more.

• VCSE Locality Forum – Volunteer Star Awards

Earlier this month, the awards presentation took place for the 2018 Volunteer Star Awards – click here to see some of the pictures taken at the event. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to our sponsors Heaven (health and beauty), Support Staffordshire, Jeremy Lefroy MP, the Co-op, Supported Futures, SCVYS, and South Staffordshire Housing Association.

• Coming soon – Big Energy Saving Week (21 to 28 January 2019)

The New Year is when high winter energy bills start coming in and our Good Life Energy team is here to help residents and business check they are getting the best price for their energy and make them aware of any savings they can make. We would love Parish Councils and partners to support us by hosting our Energy Surgeries during Big Energy Saving Week, a national campaign taking place in January that encourages residents and local businesses to ‘Check, Switch, Save’.

If you can host an energy bill surgery for residents or would like a no cost one-to-one energy review for your Parish or community buildings, please email the Good Life Energy team now. Email: a.munro@sstaffs.gov.uk to book a preferred location, date and time between Monday 21 January and Friday 25 January 2019.

Many residents and local businesses have already saved hundreds of pounds on their energy bills and have seen the benefits and been quick to praise the initiative. Local MP the Rt Hon. Gavin Williamson CBE gave his wholehearted support to the Good Life Energy Bill scheme earlier this year – read more at www.sstaffs.gov.uk/energy  

• Community safety advice

When you’re out shopping:

• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you.
• Keep valuables in your inside pockets of clothing or bags.
• Only carry the cash and cards that you need and always shield the PIN pad when entering your PIN.
• Avoid going back to your car to leave your shopping part-way through your trip. If you have to keep presents in the car, make sure they are out of view in the boot, the car is locked, and keep the receipts with you.
• Deter pickpockets and muggers. Don’t overburden yourself with bags/packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Always carry a purse close to your body and not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket, likewise with your phone and keys.
• Shopping with children? Make sure they learn to go to a store attendant or security guard if you get separated.
• Never leave your bag unattended on your trolley whilst shopping and don’t leave it in your vehicle when returning your trolley.

At home:

• Never keep large amounts of cash at home.
• Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times.
• Keys should always be kept out of sight and not left in doors or in view of windows.
• Make your house look occupied; use a timer switch to operate lamps as it starts to get dark and leave a radio on.
• Don’t open the door to anybody you don’t recognise. Not sure? Then don’t open the door. 

• 5 Rating

The following organisation has achieved a 5 Rating following its food inspection this week – Dunsley Hall Hotel in Kinver. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 Remember that the District Council offices will close at 12.30pm on Monday 24 December and will re-open on Wednesday 2 January 2019 at 9am 

Everyone is encouraged to submit news items, please email: comms@sstaffs.gov.uk

Thank you to all the businesses who took part in the 2018 Best Dressed Window Competition.

The entries were, without exception, of an extremely high standard, making the judges’ task a difficult one.

Winner

Congratulations to Let’s Go Round Again who are the winners of the competition for 2018.

Highly commended

Both Niche and Peggy Lain were highly commended.

Special mention

A special mention has to be made to both Wombourne School of Music (and their elves) and Des Fellows too.

Well done to all the businesses who took part.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Please contact Natalia on 07835011438 for more information.

Small Business Saturday 2018

Come along and support your local shops & businesses on Small Business Saturday 1^st December 2018.  Check out their websites, or Facebook pages for special offers on the day, or in December 2018.

Abbiss – Haberdashery Shop
High Street, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/Abbiss-1415511475415676/

Beau Hair & Beauty – Hair & Beauty salon
5 Walkers Way, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=beau%20hair%20%26%20beauty%20wombourne

Beautique – Beauty Salon
High Street, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/Beautique-1326217780790150/

Bluebell Woods – Florist
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/bluebellwoodflorist/

Bobby Bears – Build a Bear Workshop and Party Room
Unit 2, Walkers Way, Wombourne
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Shopping—Retail/BOBBY-BEARS-Build-your-own-bear-workshop-1264022100291951/

Bolton Domestic Gas Services – Boiler installation, servicing and repairs
http://boltondomesticgasservices.co.uk/

Boxleys – Butchers
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/Boxleys-of-Wombourne-345161405537123/

Coffee 212 – Coffee shop
High Street, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/coffee212/

D Fellows Interiors – Bathroom and kitchen design
School Road, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/dfellowsinteriors/

Des Fellows Carpets Ltd – Carpets
Station Road, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/desfellowswom/

E3 Print and Vape – Vape and print shop
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/E3GraphicsWombourne/

Fishface Cycles – Bicycle shop
Unit 7 Walkers Way, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/fishfacecycles/

Flaming Fires Ltd  – Fireplaces
High Street, Wombourne
https://www.flamingfires.co.uk/

FRESH coffee shop – Coffee shop
School Road, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/freshcoffeeshop/

GM Home Discounts – Discount homeware store
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/GMhomediscounts/

GM Stationery – Stationery and gifts
Planks Lane, Wombourne

Jutz Cutz – Barber shop
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/jutzcutz83/

Let’s Go Round Again – Card and gift shop
Maypole Street, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/letsgoroundagainwombourne/

Niche – Florist, card and gift shop
Common Road, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/NicheCardsGiftsFlowers/

Peony Lane Interiors – Gifts and homewares
Planks Lane, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/peonylaneinteriors/

Providence Engraving – Engraving
Common Road, Wombourne
https://www.providenceengraving.co.uk/

Tan 101 – Tanning salon
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/Tan.101wombourne/

Taylor Biddle  – Optometrists
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/taylorbiddleopticians/

Taylors Greengrocers and Florist – Greengrocer and florist
Church Road, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/www.taylors.wombourne.net/

The China Teacup – Café/teashop
Planks Lane, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/The-China-Teacup-138705839831414/

The Courtyard – Restaurant
Units 3-4 Walkers Way, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/courtyardwombourne/

The Railway Cafe – Cafe
Bratch Lane, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/Therailwaycafewombourne/

Urban Angel – Ladies clothing, footwear and accessories
High Street, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Angel-High-Street-Wombourne/246788885890767

WV5 Studio – Hairdresser
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/WV5-Hair-studio-308814986573777/?eid=ARDYsdmg5MJNvXo3VcX5h_xhz4MDNJezhLQqxDqMC9hiPwhyGywLhJ7EL3zGo6yZxlLxfKXwQmDve14x

Windmill Bakery – Bakery
Windmill Bank, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/windmillbakerywombourne/

Wombourne Computer Supplies – Computer shop
High Street, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/WombourneComputerSupplies/

Wombourne School of Music – Professional Music Tuition
Unit 1 Walkers Way, Wombourne
https://www.facebook.com/Wombourne-School-Of-Music-748194575206654/

Wombourne’s Annual Christmas Light Switch On

Poster 2018

Don’t miss this year’s Christmas light switch on taking place on Friday 30th November at 6pm.

Activities will start at 5.40pm with Westfield Primary School Choir singing Christmas songs, a countdown to the light switch on, and a firework display by 

Father Christmas will also be making an appearance in his sleigh.

With thanks to Wesfield Primary School, Sedgley and Wombourne Rotary Club and Mr Paul Maddox for supporting this event.

To book your free place, please email safeandsound@staffordshirefire.gov.uk or call 01785 898791.

A new Local Plan for South Staffordshire is being prepared by South Staffordshire Council. Have your say and take part in the consultation.

The first stage of the consultation takes place from Monday 8th October until 5pm on Friday 30th November 2018. During the consultation, three all day drop in sessions are taking place in Penkridge, Codsall and Wombourne from 10am to 7pm where you can meet and talk about the review with the Council’s Local Plans Team.

Don’t miss your opportunity to help shape the future of South Staffordshire.

Your local drop in session will be taking place on

Wednesday 7th November 2018 from 10am – 7pm at Wombourne Civic Centre

For more information, you can

Email: localplanreview@sstaffs.gov.uk
Visit: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanreview
Sign up for updates: www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanupdates

Home alone at Christmas… join South Staffordshire Council for a free Christmas lunch!

Celebrate Christmas at our tenth annual Christmas lunch for retired residents of the district who are over the age of 60 and don’t have any family or friends visiting them on Christmas Day.

Join us for a festive celebration on Friday 21 December, 12 midday (for 12.30pm) Christmas lunch at the Catering Academy.

Transport is provided along with an appearance by Santa and a present for everyone and entertainment including carolsplayed by the Salvation Army band

To book your place, please contact Sonja Oatley MBE on 07766822600 or by email at sonjaoatley@gmail.com by Friday 14th December. Places are free but are limited to 50 people, so early application is recommended.

Sponsored by Catering Academy, South Staffordshire District Council, Soth Staffordshire District Members Fund and the Co-operative.

South Staffordshire
Council Restaurant,
Wolverhampton Road,
Codsall, WV8 1PX