Home alone at Christmas or know anyone who is?

Join South Staffordshire Council on Friday 20th December for a free Christmas meal. 

Celebrate Christmas at their 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.

This year’s event takes place at the Catering Academy at the Council Offices in Codsall on Friday 20 December 2019 from 12 midday.

Places are free but must be booked and are limited to 50 people so early application is recommended. To book a place, please contact:

Val Chapman        Tel: 07718 911367      Email: val.chapman3@btinternet.com

This year the Community Centre will once again be opening it’s doors to everyone to meet groups and organisations from the local community on the evening of the Christmas Light Switch on – Friday 29th November 2019 at 6.30pm.

There will be free tea and cake for everyone – don’t miss it!

Bulb planting events

Come along and help plant some spring flowering bulbs at Strawberry Lane Cemetery in Great Wyrley and Sytch Lane Cemetery in Wombourne.

• Sytch Lane Cemetery – Monday 18 November 2019 between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

• Strawberry Lane Cemetery – Friday 22 November 2019 between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Click here and here for more information or contact our Bereavement Services team for more information on 01902 696111.

Don’t miss this year’s Christmas Light Switch On!

The Christmas Light Switch On this year will take place on Friday 29th November.

Festivities will start at around 5.40pm at the front of the Civic Centre where Blakeley Heath Primary School choir will be counting us down to the lights (and the new addition of a Christmas tree this year) being switched on at 6pm.

Santa Claus will make his way around the Village in his sleigh before pulling up outside the Civic Centre for all to see. With thanks to the Rotary Club of Sedgley and Wombourne for ensuring his safe arrival into Wombourne!

The Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor Daniel Kinsey, will be switching on the lights this year, and a short firework display booked with local firm Fire Monkey Pyro will follow.

Lots of shops, cafes and restaurants will be open and Wombourne and District Community Association will once again be hosting their Showcase Event in the Community Centre/Library, which is not to be missed.

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

Don’t miss your opportunity to see Robin Hood the panto at Wombourne Civic Centre

Tickets are selling fast for Robin Hood the panto which is coming to Wombourne Civic Centre on Saturday 7th December 2019 at 6.15pm.

Come along and support Wombourne Parish Council who are hosting M&M Productions for the first time to bring the panto to your doorstep.

Tickets can be purchased from the Parish Council Office (cash only) and are priced at just £8 for adults and £5 for children.

Doors will open at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start and there will be a licensed bar open.

For enquiries, please call 01902 896300.

We are now rushing headlong into autumn in Wombourne, and the vibrant blooms of summer are fast transforming into the familiar sights of the new season. Dare I say, we will soon be looking forward to the Christmas Lights switch-on!

I hope all villagers had enjoyable and, no doubt, well-earned summer breaks between the sometimes unseasonal and turbulent weather we seem to be becoming accustomed to in a British summer time.

Despite some cold, rainy weather at times, I think we can all agree the village looked better than ever in its summertime finery. The Best Kept Village committee again did us proud, ensuring a beautiful and tidy village. It is with great pride that I would like to congratulate them and all their volunteers in achieving third place in the large village category of the Best Kept Village competition, as well as extending thanks for their selfless hard work.

Whilst on the subject, it is also an opportune moment to congratulate the winners of the Wombourne in Bloom competition this year. Like the efforts of the BKV, Wombourne’s businesses also get in on the act to ensure the village looks its best. It was fantastic to see so many businesses participating, and I hope even more choose to do so next year. This year’s winners were Walker’s Way, where the level of work was frankly staggering, and The Mount Pleasant, where the hanging display was simply stunning. A huge well done to all those that took part.

However, there is naturally much more going on in Wombourne than marvelling at its summer splendour. The Parish Council is now passing the 125 years milestone, which is another important event in the life of the village that I hope will be built upon for many years to come.

Equally, we have renewal within the village. In early September I attended the closing meeting of 2^nd Wombourne Scout Group. Despite being the end of an era in some ways, it was not a sad affair. Rather, the meeting witnessed the birth of The Bratch Scouts – it was a renewal, and a rebranding that is intended to bring greater recognition and support to an essential community and youth organisation. The positivity of the event was fantastic, and perhaps they will be celebrating that day in 125 years’ time too.

On a final note, I also attended Perton Parish Council’s Civic Service in September. A long-time volunteer myself, I know the impact they can have. Many local community groups owe their existence to their tireless efforts, and it must be no surprise that the central theme of this article is congratulating volunteer successes, urging more to get involved and thanking volunteers for their dedication. As with the Best Kept Village committee, Wombourne’s very own Volunteer Bureau is also a key organisation at the heart of Parish life. All the groups mentioned, and many others besides, will always welcome new volunteers, and if you can spare even an hour here or there, I am certain it would be most welcome. This is where the Parish becomes a community, and I want to thank you all for the work you do.

Daniel Kinsey,

Chairman

A night at the musicals

A night at the Musicals – Saturday 9th November 2019

At Wombourne High School (formerly known as Ounsdale High School)

Tickets are £8.50 each which includes a free drink and biscuits – All proceeds go to High Flyers Charity

Visit www.facebook.com/thesoundofmusicalsstageshow or www.tsomstageshow.co.uk for more information.

A night at the Musicals brings you the best loved songs from the most famous musicals in one fantastic show.

The performers adopt the characters they are portraying through dress and delivery.

You will hear and see songs from Les Miserables, Sweet Charity, Oliver!, Phantom of the Opera and Chicago to name a few!

One of the most entertaining, remarkable and surprisingly humourous shows you will definitely choose to remember from 2019.

To buy tickets, please call Clare on 077797 782 43.

Giving your child the best start with Rhythm Time!

My name’s Jenny and I run Rhythm Time classes in the Wolverhampton, South Staffs, Stourbridge and surrounding areas. Our award-winning, multi-sensory music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are great fun and extremely developmental. We are passionate about music and its ability to stimulate every part of a child’s brain.

Classes are split over four age groups, young baby (from 0-4mths) older babies (from around 3 to 14 months), toddlers (up to three) and pre-school from 3 to 5. Each course has been created by Rhythm Time founder and MD, Kathy Doolan, to enhance the senses of each child and develop their creativity, confidence and co-ordination.

Babies aren’t born with a sense of beat, so in the baby class we focus on instilling this beat – this is important as it helps with walking, writing, riding a bike… and countless other things! In the toddler class the focus is on building your little one’s confidence – they will collect their own instruments and even sing a solo into a microphone! The pre-school classes teach the fundamentals of music, whether it is sad or happy, fast or slow, and introduces musical terminology. This continuous development is delivered in a fun, energetic and engaging way, with the help of our mascot Ratatat, a rabbit with very long ears, who is used to hone the children’s listening skills!  You’ll also meet lots of other lovely parents of course!

Each class is different yet has just the right amount of repetition for the little ones to feel secure and comfortable. I have a team of wonderful teachers who are passionate about music and the development of children – and they all absolutely LOVE what they do, and that shines through too!

Rhythm Time has been established for 23 years, so we’re very well known throughout the country and highly regarded. Our passion is to inspire and teach parents and their little ones, helping them to enjoy the wonders of music and giving them a firm musical foundation.  We’re also founding members of the CAA (Children’s Activities Association) which is an industry benchmarking organisation created to raise the standard of children’s activities provided to parents.

We run classes throughout the week in various venues, so just call us on 07948 625 006 or visit www.rhythmtime.net/pr to find your nearest class.

I’m really looking forward to meeting you!

Get fit with your baby and meet other local moms

From Wednesday 18th September 2019, Sweaty Mama Exercise Classes will be coming to Wombourne Civic Centre.

Held in the Bourne Room from 10am to 11am every Wednesday for 8 weeks.

Why not come along and get fit with your baby whilst meeting other local moms.

For more information please visit https://sweatymama.com/book-on-a-class/#events