Month: October 2024

Walsall’s Family Hubs are going all out for Halloween this year, turning their centres into spooky spots full of family-friendly Halloween fun!

On 30th and 31st October, families can pop in for a mix of ghoulish games, creepy crafts, and a few gooey surprises. Each hub will be buzzing with Halloween spirit, offering kids and parents a chance to make fun memories together—costumes encouraged, of course!

These events are happening at four hubs across the borough. On Wednesday, 30th October, the North and South Central Family Hubs will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

On Halloween itself, Thursday, 31st October, the East Hub kicks things off from 10:30 a.m., while the West Hub will welcome families from 10 a.m. Each event is completely free, so all you need to bring is a sense of adventure and a costume if you’ve got one!

Councillor Stacie Elson shared her excitement, saying the events are a fantastic way for families to come together, get creative, and celebrate the spooky season with their community. “We look forward to seeing everyone in their best costumes and enjoying the spooky festivities,” she added.

For Halloween details or more about what the Family Hubs offer, visit Walsall Families in the Know on Facebook or email Familyhubs@walsall.gov.uk.

This Remembrance Sunday, November 10th, Walsall will host parades and services to honour military service members.

The main event includes a town centre parade, led by the Mayor, starting at Hatherton Road at 10:25 a.m. and ending at the Cenotaph in Bradford Place for a remembrance service.

Residents are encouraged to attend and observe a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. Other borough locations will also host commemorations with music, wreath-laying, and tributes, celebrating the courage and dedication of our armed forces.

These include:

• Aldridge War Memorial – Parade starting at 10.45am from Aldridge Community Centre to the Cenotaph. The Green, Aldridge, WS9 8NH.
• Bloxwich Cenotaph. Parade starting at 10.45am along the High Street with the British Legion, scouts, brownies, cubs and military all in attendance. Followed by service and a minute’s silence at 11am. High Street, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3JT.
• Brownshills Cenotaph. Parade starting around 10.30am from Brownhills Memorial to St James Church. Service and minute’s silence at 11am, followed by the laying of wreaths.
• Darlaston War Memorial. Service at Moxley Cenotaph before the minute’s silence at 11am. Victoria Road, Darlaston, Wednesday, WS10 8AB.
• Moxley Cenotaph. Service and wreath laying starting at 10.30am followed by a minute’s silence at 11am. Moxley Road, Junction with High Street, Moxley.
• Pelsall Cenotaph – The Leader of Walsall Council will be attending this service. The service in Pelsall commences at 10.50am at Pelsall War Memorial. Prior to this, there is a short parade of uniformed organisations from Pelsall Village Centre to the war memorial along Pelsall High Street. This starts at 10.40am. Norton Road/Station Road, Pelsall, Walsall.
• Rushall War Memorial. Service at 11am. Memorial stone outside the form library, Pelsall Lane/Lichfield Road junction.
• Short Heath Cenotaph. Parade starting at 10.30am followed by service and a minute’s silence at 11am. Parade starts from the British Legion Club on Church Road and then proceeds to the Short Heath Cenotaph on High Road. Willenhall, WV12 4JT. 
• Streetly War Memorial. Parade starting at 10.45am followed by service and a minute’s silence at 11am at All Saints Church, Foley Road, East, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3EX. 
• Walsall Wood War Memorial – Parade starting at 1.30pm from Oak Park to St John’s Church on Walsall Wood High Street. 
• Willenhall Cenotaph. Service and wreath laying followed by a minute’s silence at 11am at Field Street Cenotaph. Followed by a wreath laying at the smaller cenotaph site at Portobello (junction of Somerford Place/The Keyway). 

 

Grab some warm clothes and get ready for two dazzling evenings of fireworks as Walsall Arboretum and King George V Playing Fields prepare to light up the sky.

Alongside food stalls and a fair, Walsall Arboretum will host a fireworks display on Saturday 2 November, while King George V Playing Fields is the location for a second display on Tuesday 5 November.

Both events will kick off with a special flame show choreographed to music from classic films.

Doors open at 5pm with the flame show starting at 6.40pm and fireworks at 7pm. Ticket prices are £8.50 for adults, £6.50 per child, or £24 for a family ticket. Under 3s go free. Tickets can be purchased here > https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/healthyspaces

“ Our fireworks events are a wonderful way to bring our community together for a fun evening out in our green spaces. We are looking forward to another fantastic turnout,” said Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council.

“The event at the Arboretum will also mark the end of a special year celebrating the 150th anniversary of the park, which has seen thousands of people come together to mark this special year.“

 

The Good Food Show Winter is back, returning to the NEC, Birmingham, from 21-24 November.

Readers of our Walsall and Villages magazines, please note: The incorrect artwork has appeared in the print versions of our magazines. The correct dates for the show is 21-24 November, with the correct date of the competition to win two tickets being 10 November.

See your favourite chefs cooking live

Two Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge is back with a bang to ignite the Big Kitchen with his classic British cooking. Plus there’s an abundance of top chefs and experts with the star-studded line-up including James Martin, Nadiya Hussain, Michael Roux, John Torode MBE, Lisa Faulkner, Gennaro Contaldo, Greg Rutherford, Paul Ainsworth, Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie, and many more.

Discover what the chefs and experts are cooking this Christmas in the Big Kitchen and be inspired to create your very own showstopper.

Buy tickets to the Good Food Show Winter 2024

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Tuck into plenty of seasonal recipe inspiration in the Christmas Kitchen – the ultimate festive space to celebrate. Hosted by Chris Bavin, you’ll see a delightful mix of familiar faces, such as Queen of Gluten Free, Becky Excell, comfort food recipes from Sophie Wyburd, Malaysian-Scottish fusion recipes from Julie Linn, bold Caribbean flavours from Sian Anderson, plus recipes from Masterchef winner Brin Pirathapan and many more.

At the brand-new Good Food Kitchen, see the pages of the magazine come to life with host Barney Dexmazery. You can expect to see planet-friendly recipes using seasonal vegetables, leftovers and low-waste tips. Good Food Contributors Max la Manna will share his affordable plant-based dishes that minimise waste, while Dr. Chintal Patel offers a healthier alternative on Christmas favourites. Plus, don’t miss food writer and baker Chetna Makan, and gluten-free dishes from Becky Excell. It’s a line-up that celebrates sustainable and delicious cooking, perfect for inspiring new ideas in your kitchen.

Don’t forget to head to the Let’s Talk Good Food Stage to be part of the audience and learn all about your favourite chef’s success. If you have any burning questions, this is the best place to get them answered.

Start your festive shop

Packed with hundreds of producers to shop, try and buy from, if you’re looking for the perfect gift, then look no further. From exquisite Russell & Atwell fresh chocolates to Shepherds Purses’s Yorkshire Blue Cheese and Cornwall’s Davidstow Cheddar, there’s something special for everyone. You’ll also find premium wines from around the world and top-of-the-line cookware from HexClas and new appliances from Salter. There truly is something for everyone. Plus, head to the Book Signing and get your cookbooks from the pop-up book shop signed – the perfect gift for any food-loving family members or friends who might not be able to make it this year.

Learn a new skill

Get inspired and learn new skills in the Winter Workshops to help you wow your friends and family this Christmas, from creating festive cocktails and Christmas Slaw to perfecting canapes, festive fancies and macarons. Discover new flavours and challenge your palate at the Fabulous Food Finds Tasting Theatre, or find the perfect festive winers at the Good Food Wine Tasting Theatre.

Let the festive feast begin

Tuck into unique dining experiences at the show and make it a day to remember with a delicious adventure at the Takumi Lunch Club by Lexus. Or, dine in style at the Good Food Restaurant, inspired by Good Food Christmas recipes from the magazine to tantalise your tastebuds.

Win tickets to the Good Food Show Winter 2024

To win a pair of tickets (not valid for Saturday entrance), answer the following question:

Who will be hosting the Christmas Kitchen?

Send answers with the subject headers: Good Food Show 2024 to community@pioneermagazines.co.uk, or leave a comment on our dedicated Facebook post.

Closing date is 10 November, where the winner will be announced via our Facebook page.

Good luck!

The woman assaulted at Bescot Stadium railway station on Sunday October 20 has died in hospital three days after the attack.

Rhiannon Skye Whyte, 27, suffered serious injuries following an attack at 11.30pm. The next morning, Deng Cholmajek, 18, of Bescot Crescent, Walsall was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Detectives are applying to amend the charge to murder.

Cholmajek remains in custody after appearing at Walsall Magistrates Court this week, and will face trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 19.

Tributes have poured in for Rhiannon, who was described in a statement by the family.

“The most loved daughter, compassionate sister, loving aunty, gracious granddaughter, beautiful niece, wonderful cousin and devoted friend.

“The most selfless person you were brave, quirky, funny, and always there for anyone who needed it. There is not enough paper in the world to even begin to write a tribute for you, but no one deserves it more.

“The weird thing about this devastating loss is that we now need to navigate life without you, but how? If your short life will teach anything it’s to cherish each moment with those you love as tomorrow is never guaranteed.

“You are so strong, a fighter and no matter what happens, we as a family will always be united for you. We will love and miss you for now for always and forever.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “Our specialist officers are supporting Rhiannon’s family and friends. Please can we ask for their privacy to be respected. Our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time”  

Anyone with information is urged to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or text 61016 quoting 11 of 21 October.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Update [22 Oct, 2024]

West Midlands Police have confirmed that Deng Cholmajek, 18, has been charged with attempted murder and will appear in Walsall Magistrates Court today.

The lady, who suffered injuries consistent with a stabbing, is still in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Original

An 18-year-old man has been arrested following suspicion of the attempted murder of a woman at Bescot Stadium train station this morning (October 21).

The incident happened on Sunday at 11.25pm when emergency services were called to the scene where a woman has suffered “life threatening injuries”. Trains were also prevented from stopping at the station throughout Monday with replacement services instead running from Tamebridge Parkway to Walsall.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell from British Transport Police has appealed for witnesses.

“Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and passengers will see an increased police presence in the area as a result,” he said. “The station will also remain closed. I urge any witnesses or anyone with information to contact British Transport Police.”

People can get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 11 of 21 October. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Walsall Family Hubs are looking for parents who are expecting a child or who have had a baby in the last 12 months to take part in a new project.

The Shaping My Tomorrow project aims to follow the journey of the family as the children grow up with yearly conversations, and will initially begin with a two-hour workshop to discuss the project.

Participants will be given a £25 supermarket voucher, a family portrait and a scrapbook to detail their family journey.

To participate in the project, please email familyhubs@walsall.gov.uk.

 

Walsall Arboretum will be lit up with glow sticks and fairy lights on October 26 as hundreds of walkers plan to shine bright to raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Everyone is welcome to join at the arboretum entrance on Broadway North between 5.30pm-9pm with all sponsorship money raised going to the local charity.

Ticket prices are:

Family: (2 adults and 2 children) £40
Adult: (16 years old and up) £15
Child: (3-15 years old) £10
Under 3: £3
Minimum sponsorship: £10 per person

All walkers are encouraged to wear bright clothes and bring anything that lights up as they walk around either a 2.5km or 4km route around the lake and arboretum.

At the event, they’ll be food and drinks vendors, face painting, a petting zoo, merchandise stalls and a giant LED robot.

For more information and to buy tickets head to> https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/GlowWalk2024

A free apple-themed event is taking place at Walsall Arboretum on Saturday 19 October 2024.

Keep an eye out for a Queen Victoria impersonator at the Orchard Pavillion, alongside a variety of apple-based activities, including apple bobbing, apple fishing and apple-themed crafts.

Taking place between 11.30am-3pm, the event will also see apple drinks and snacks available to buy, as well as the chance to have a go on a juicing bike.

An ice-cream and hot-dog van will also be on site, and the “Voices Entwined” choir will be providing some upbeat entertainment.

“It’s almost time for the annual Walsall Arboretum User Group Apple Day event,” said Jon Hemming, Chairman of the Walsall Arboretum User Group.

“There will be plenty for people of all ages to get involved with, we’re looking forward to a really fun day.

“We will have free apple-based foods prepared by Walsall College, using apples picked from the orchard in the arboretum.

“So, to anyone who is interested, I invite you to come down and have a blast down the arboretum.”