Wombourne in Bloom

Wombourne celebrates (a socially distanced) VE Day

Wombourne comes together (but stayed apart) to celebrate VE Day

Along with the rest of the country, on the 23^rd March 2020, Wombourne went into lockdown. We did this to protect ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable in our community from the disease known as Covid-19. On Friday 8^th May however, Wombourne burst into life once more to join in a national celebration; the 75^th anniversary of VE Day.

This significant anniversary came at a time when our appreciation of life 75 years ago is likely clearer and more meaningful than ever. In the midst of another national, and even international struggle for survival, undertaken for a lengthy period of time, and against all odds, this country similarly erupted into life and song to mark the defeat of Fascism and a new age of peace across Europe. Today, we appreciate sacrifice, the importance of close friends, family and community all the more. We also cherish our freedoms that were so hard-won in 1945 more so for having to relinquish them, even if momentarily.

Even prior to the Prime Minister’s announcement of lockdown measures, we had already got moving in Wombourne with the establishment of the Wombourne Community Assistance Group. Due to our newsletters and social media presence, you probably know plenty about this group already – and perhaps you have benefitted from a phone call, some shopping, or even a Positivity Parcel from one of our fantastic team of volunteers.

In fact, it was this desire to emphasise ‘positivity’ at this time that led the Parish Council and WCAG to promote VE Day celebrations across the community. Having been in lockdown for six weeks already, it was a perfect opportunity for residents to share in some fun and good humour, as well as develop further all of those wonderful friendships we seem to be developing with neighbours we may not have known before.

The message went far and wide, with leaflets to every home in the village; posts on Wombourne Online, Wombourne Best Kept Village and the Parish Council website and Facebook pages; requests to residents with memories of the original VE Day to share their recollections with us, which they did in substantial numbers, and many of you may have seen examples shared online; a number of local businesses were encouraged to offer cream teas or picnic lunches to help mark the celebrations, and I’m pleased to say they all sold out.

What happened next is a credit to all of you who make up our wonderful village. You heard the call to join in the celebration, and you did so in style. You hung out the bunting, raised your flags and got out in your gardens to share the day with your neighbours – all whilst social distancing, of course!

Music rang out from some quarters, and quizzes entertained whole streets in others. Children coloured in posters, pictures and even the pavements in many places, and many of us joined in singing Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ which feels ever so apt for our own time.

Thank you for making this 75^th anniversary of peace in Europe so special, and thank you for not letting the lockdown get you down. We hope that WCAG will be able to continue supporting your community as long as is necessary, and we thank you for your very kind support. As part of our VE Day memories, members of the team took many photos and videos of the day around the village, and along with the collected memories, these will be retained for future generations to see that when it came our time to do our bit, support each other and battle through difficult times, Wombourne did so in style!

Thank you for rallying round us for VE Day, and standing tall against Covid-19.

Dan Kinsey
Chairman
Wombourne Parish Council

Let’s celebrate Wombourne – calling all crafters!

 LET’S CELEBRATE WOMBOURNE!

From the organisers of the Christmas Tree Festival at the United Reformed Church…

If you can knit, crochet or sew and would like to celebrate the kind and generous people of this village, why not spend some time making flowers, leaves, butterflies, bees or similar to decorate your houses, gardens and trees when all this is over?

 A burst of colour is what we all need!

If you are interested please email

 wombournectfestival@gmail.com

Wombourne Work Club

Wombourne Work Club

Are you looking for help with your CV and letter writing? Maybe you need some IT coaching or self employment advice?

Wombourne Work Club can help you… they meet every Tuesday at Wombourne Library/Community Centre from 10am until midday. No appointment is necessary, you can call in for free help and advice.

For enquiries call Val Chapman on 07718911367 or email val.chapman3@btinternet.com

South Staffordshire business survey and roundtable events

South Staffordshire business survey and roundtable events

If you’re a local business, make sure you complete the south Staffordshire business survey. The Council is committed to creating the right conditions for economic growth across the district and supporting local businesses and your thoughts and opinions are key. Click here to take part in the survey, which closes on Sunday 23 February 2020 (5pm). This piece of research will be instrumental in informing South Staffordshire Council’s future strategic plans.

To accompany this, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce are hosting a series of small business roundtable events on behalf of South Staffordshire Council.

• Click here to find out more and to book a place at the business roundtable being held on Friday 31 January 2020 at Halfpenny Green Vineyards from 10am to noon.
• Click here to find out more and to book a place at the business roundtable being held on Tuesday 11 February 2020 at Essington Farm from 10am to noon.
• Click here to find out more and to book a place at the business roundtable being held on Friday 28 February 2020 at the Council Offices in Codsall from 10am to noon.

Meet the Community Lottery Family

Meet the Community Lottery family – South Staffordshire Council

Click here to meet the new lottery family. These cheeky balls are set to bring some lottery fun over coming months, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of these delightful characters. Sadly though, the balls have joined us with no names. If you’d like to suggest a name, simply tell us the number of the ball and the name. If you name is chosen, we’ll give you a free lottery play for two weekly draws. Closing date is Sunday 26 January 2020 at 9pm. Please forward any suggestions to n.taylor@sstafs.gov.uk.

To support good causes in South Staffordshire and to buy a lottery ticket, simply register on the website (www.southstaffslottery.co.uk) or telephone 01902 213777.

It’s time to book your February school holiday activities

Time to book your February school holiday activities

Bookings are now being taken for the children’s school holiday activity camps which are running at the Leisure Centres from Monday 17 to Friday 21 February 2020.

To find out what’s on each day at Wombourne Leisure Centre visit https://www.aspire-sports.co.uk/sites/default/files/content/Wombourne%20-%20Feb%20-%20Green%20-%200.pdf

To book, go to https://www.aspire-sports.co.uk/active-camps.

Best Dressed Window Competition 2019

Winner announced!

There was certainly stiff competition for this year’s Best Dressed Window Competition, with Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor Daniel Kinsey and Vice Chairman, Councillor John Pike having the difficult task of judging the windows.

We are thrilled to announce that the Winner of this year’s Best Dressed Christmas Window goes to Blush Tanning & Beauty – the judges were really impressed by their snow scene display and felt it deserved top place this year. Well done to everyone at Blush Tanning & Beauty!

Runner up this year goes to Let’s Go Round Again. Their displays are always beautiful and this year’s was no exception. Well done to the team at Let’s Go Round Again.

The judges felt that there were three shops that deserved the Highly Commended award this year, and they are Des Fellows, Niche Cards Gifts & Flowers and Peggylain Interiors. Well done to you all.

Councillor Daniel Kinsey will be delivering your certificates to you in the next few days. Congratulations to you all and thank you for getting involved.

Thanks to all the shops and businesses who entered this year’s competition.. we would urge residents to be sure to continue to #shoplocal and support our shops and businesses in Wombourne this Christmas and beyond.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Annual Churches Together Carol Concert – Thursday 12th December

Don’t miss the Annual Churches Together Carol Concert this Thursday

The Annual Carol Concert will take place on Thursday 12th December at 7.30pm at Wombourne Civic Centre.

Entry is free and the Parish Council will be putting on refreshments after the event.

For enquiries, please call the Parish Council office on 01902 896300.

Another successful Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday 2019

2019 had to be the best year yet in terms of shops taking part in Small Business Saturday.

Starting with 10 of the 47 shops in Common Road, the Parish Councillors toured the Village visiting the other 30 shops with their final stop was at the new Bella Armoré which opened on Saturday afternoon.

Parish Chairman, Councillor Dan Kinsey said  ‘what a fantastic #SmallBusinessSaturday in Wombourne, 2019! We had loads of businesses sign up this year, and even appeared to have the weather on our side. What a beautiful day to get out supporting our fantastic variety of local businesses’.

We would like to say a heart felt thank you to each and every business who made the Councillors so welcome, thank you to everyone who took the time to pose for photos, and congratulations to all those so busy they could not spare the time for a photo – we clearly have some much loved and well supported local businesses!

We really hope the Parish Council’s support helped to get the message out to #shoplocal.

Wishing you all the very best of trading in the run up to Christmas, and hoping many more local residents will be walking through your doors over the next few weeks and into the new year.’

Below are the photo’s from the day, we hope you enjoy looking at them.

Abbiss – Haberdashery – High Street

Beautique – Nail salon – High Street

Bella Armoré – Hairdressers – School Road

BLOW Hair by Louisa – Hairdressers – Common Road

Blush Tanning – Tanning salon – Bull Lane

Bluebell Wood – Florist – Windmill Bank

Boxley’s Butchers

Bromley Butchers – Butchers – Common Road

Clarabel’s Guest House – Guest House – Walkers Way, High Street

Coffee 212 – Coffee shop – High Street

Compton Care – Charity Shop – Maypole Street

Country Cuppa – Cafe – Common Road

Des Fellows Carpets

E3 Graphics and Print – Print Store – Windmill Bank

Farmer & Friends – Cafe – Maypole Street

Fishface Cycles – Bicycle Shop – Walkers Way, High Street

Flaming Fires – Fireplace shop – High Street

Fresh Coffee Shop – cafe – School Road

GM Home Discount – Discount home store – Windmill Bank

GM Stationery – Card and stationery shop – Planks Lane

Jimmy Trims – Barbers – Station Road

JRK Computer Supplies

Jutz Cutz Barbers – Barbers – Windmill Bank

Let’s Go Round Again – Card and gift shop – Maypole Street

Maypole Lighting – Lighting shop – Planks Lane

Niche – Card, gift and flower shop – Common Road

No 8 – Beauty salon – Maypole Street

Peggylain – Interiors – Station Road

Peony Lane – Interiors – Planks Lane

Perrigo Opticians – Opticians – Maypole Street

PR Barber Shop – Barbers – Station Road

Providence Engraving – Trophy and engraving shop – Common Road

Sniffers – Dog Groomers – Common Road

Studio DM – Hair salon – Bull Lane

Tan 101 – Tanning shop – Windmill Bank

Taylors Greengrocers – Greengrocers – Church Road

Taylor Biddle Opticians – Opticians – Windmill Bank

The Barber Sop – Barbers – Common Road

The Courtyard – Restaurant – Walkers Way, High Street

The Railway Cafe – Cafe – Bratch Lane

Tracy’s Hair Design – Hairdressers – Maypole Street

Urban Angel – Ladies clothing – High Street

Windmill Bakery – Bakers and cake shop – Windmill Bank

Wombourne Computer Supplies – Computer shop – High Street

Wombourne Dry Cleaners – Dry Cleaning – Common Road

Wombourne Motor Spares – Car parts and accessories – Common Road

Wombourne School of Music – Music Tuiton – Walkers Way, High Street