Gornal News & Goings On

Newsfile Sport History Family Roots Find Old Friends Fun & Laughs Poetry

Keeping you informed about local News and Goings On! If you have a news item or event you would like us to feature, simply email us at newsdesk@yampy.co.uk including a contact number. News In Brief Ruth Scoops Student of the Year Prize Gornal Wood construction student Ruth Ashlee has been awarded the inaugural Weaver Student of the Year prize for her attitude and commitment during an HND course at Stourbridge College. Ruth winsa a fine glassware trophy. Monday 8 8 2005 Gornal library free IT course Improve your IT skills at Lower Gornal library on Tuesday August 16th 2005, when a free family learning session takes place from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Ring Anna Fuscoe on 01384 813948 to book your place. Saturday 16 7 2005 LIBRARY 3 for 2 OFFER Coseley, Gornal and Sedgley libraries all have a special offer until the end of August. If you hire any two music or film cd's, dvd's, videos or cassettes you may take another one free. Tuesday 12 7 2005 Dudley Council Plus Dudley Council has extended the hours in which it can be contacted. From May 23rd 2005 the "Dudley Council Plus" initiative will mean that Castle STreet in Dudley will be open from 8am till 7.30pm weekdays, and 9am till noon on Saturdays. Telephone number is 01384 812345 and website remains www.dudley.gov.uk. Tuesday 24 5 2005 Bulls Head Refit The Bulls Head on the corner of Himley Road/Bull Street has just spent £22,000 on bar and lounge refurbishment including a new stage area, and has now launched a revitalised programme of Saturday evening live entertainment. Saturday 2 4 2005 JEAN & HORACE celebrate 50 years Jean and Horace Hale, of Ellowes Road, marked their Golden Wedding Anniversary on February 28th 2005 with a party for the whole family - including two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Many congratulations to you both! Tuesday 8 3 2005 HELP COTWALL END FRIENDS! Tomorrow Thursday 24th February 2005 at 12 noon the Express and Star will be carrying out a photo shoot showing the newly formed Friends of Cotwall End Valley at work. The group wishes to expand its profile as part of a drive to raise funds and awareness of the nature reserve, so the more people who can turn up the better. If you care about the future of Cotwall End Valley and can spare a small amount of time - maybe you're walking the dog anyway, or fancy a breath of fresh air - your attendance would be very muuch appreciated. The meeting point is the entrance gate in The Alley map Wednesday 23 2 2005 YOGA CLASSES? Do any Yampy readers know to any regular Yoga evening classes in the Gornal/Dudley area? Regular site visitor David has asked us to broadcast the plea. If you can help, let us know by emailing newsdesk@yampy.co.uk. We'll pass the message on - and give your class a plug at the same time! Wednesday 16 2 2005 Volunteers Wanted Could you spare a few hours a month providing help at Beacon Centre for the Blind? Whether it's driving, gardening or shop work, every little bit helps. Ring Sharon on 01902 880111 for further details. Monday 31 1 2005 GAS LEAK CLOSES ROAD Noticed the 'road closed sign' at Hill Street Upper Gornal and wondered what's going on? A gas leak was reported there last Tuesday and Transco have been on the case. Things should be back to normal next week (w/c 24th Jan). Saturday 22 1 2005 Do you have the brass nerve? Anne Troman from Black Country dramatic group Circle Players has contacted Yampy to appeal for a local brass band to join in the fun of a production of "Brassed Off". The license has already been granted for the performance, which will take place at Aldridge Theatre in October 2005. If you are interested or know anyone who may be able to help, email us at newsdesk@yampy.co.uk and we will put you in touch with Anne. Tuesday 23 11 2004 Paul and Sally Call Time Waggon & Horses landlords Paul and Sally Butler have retired after twelve years service behind the bar at the Ruiton Street pub. Originally from Cambridge, the now 'naturalised' Gornalites have no plans to leave the area but plan to spend more time on golf and leisure. Cheers from Yampy to both! Saturday 13 11 2004 New Police Boss for Dudley North Dudley North has a new police commander. Chief Supt. Dennis Hodson is retiring to take over as director of Dudley Community Partnership. His replacement is Superindendent Richard Green who been promoted from his current position in Harborne to take over from Mr Hodson - starting today. Monday 8 11 2004 Scared of computers? Free & easy beginners course starts at Gornal library 3/11/04 1pm - 4pm. Call Stephanie 01384 812833 or Krishna 01384 456166 Saturday 16 10 2004 Congratulations to Florence May Perkes! Florence was one hundred years old on September 25th 1904 and celebrated with daughter Pat and family at the Fiddlers Arms, just down the Road from her Louise St. home. Born in 1904, she married her late husband Percy in 1926 and is described by Pat as easy going - but a hard worker! Monday 11 10 2004 Can Cook Will Cook Congratulations to Andrew Heeley of The Himley House hotel, who has made it through to the final of the Chef & Brewer 'Chef of The Year' contest. The final is in Northampton this evening (5th). Tuesday 5 10 2004 Bonfire Pallets Wanted Do you have any wooden pallets that you would be willing to donate to the Council for their November 6th giant bonfire at Himley Park? If so, please ring 01902 326665. Tuesday 5 10 2004 Ellowes Hall School Celebrates Congratulations to Gornal's Ellowes Hall School, which has officially been awarded sports college status by the Department of Education. This recognition releases additional revenue and capital funds for the school, and is the signal for staff to be sent out to neighbouring schools to spread best practice. Tuesday 5 10 2004 Pharmacy Milestone in Gornal The recently refurbished Co-op pharmacy in Gornal wood was at the centre of celebrations to mark the West Midland group's two millionth prescription in a single year. Lucky customer Tracey Adams won a bottle of bubbbly and flowers. Tuesday 5 10 2004 Dudley Library Kids Survey Starting on Monday October 4th 2004 children in Dudley, Dudley Wood, Gornal and Coseley will be able to take part in a survey to tell the Council what they think of their local library. Saturday 25 9 2004 Ellowes Exam Result Rise Dudley Council report that The Ellowes Hall School have improved their A Level pass rate from 70% to 77%, with one student achieving the difficult Advanced Extension Award in English. Every student that wanted to attend university achieved the grades they needed. Friday 20 8 2004 Getting Started on the Internet Gornal library every Tuesday morning 9.30-10.30 and 11.00-12.00. Book a free hour's training. 01384 812755 Wednesday 11 8 2004 Friendly win for Peacocks Gornal Athletic beat Old Hill 3-1 in their first friendly of the season last Saturday (24/7/04) and now look forward to a home warm up against Dudley United tomorrow (Tue 3rd) at 7.45pm Monday 2 8 2004 Baby Bearing Bobby's Bye to the Beat Sergeant Hadlington of Beat 24, which covers Ruiton, Lower Gornal, Gornal and Coopers bank, has left to have a baby. Sergeant Hadlington has now taken over the beat. Wednesday 14 7 2004 Free language course at Dudley Libraries. Special Spring Offer throughout June. You may borrow one language course FREE on cassette or CD on each visit to the library during June 2004. Tuesday 15 6 2004 Win for Dad on Fathers Day Does your Dad deserve a surprise? Write a story to tell Dudley Libraries why he does, and you might win a restaurant meal for two. Entries are to be taken to the library, or email donna.taylor@dudley.gov.uk. Don't forget to include your name, age, address and phone number. Closing date 5th June 2004. Thursday 13 5 2004 Quarry Play Area Problems Inspector Bailey of Sedgley police ahs promised to 'increase visibility' in the Vale STreet area following reports in the Dudley News of anti-social behaviour on the Quarry playing fields. A fire was lit and small explosions heard by local residents. Monday 3 5 2004 Ellowes Fundraising Achievement Well done to Lower Gornal Ellowes students Charlotte Beeston, Leanne Nicholls and Emily Medlyn, who have helped two year old Emily Hart, a Metachromatic Leukodystrophy victim, with a donation of £500. They held a mufti day at Ellowes Hall, with both teachers and pupils paying to dress casually. Wednesday 28 4 2004 Keep On Running Dudley Ladies Running Club is hosting a new 12 week beginners running course for women. The course starts 7pm 20th April 2004 at Wombourne Leisure Centre, and aims to get you covering three miles or more by the end of it. For info. phone Rita on 01384 832168 or go to www.dudleyladies.co.uk Thursday 15 4 2004 MP says yes to ID's Dudley North MP Ross Cranston has been putting the case for identity cards. He says that constituents have been complaining about illegal workers and that identity cards could help to combat the problem. Mr. Cranston also drew attention to the possibility that illegal workers were vulnerable and could be exploited. Saturday 27 3 2004 Cranston Defends Government over War Legality Our local MP Ross Cranston made a rare television appearance couple of nights ago. A former Solicitor General and noted Professor of Law, he gave his support to the Government decision not to allow publication of the full details of the Attorney General's view on the legality of the Iraq War. Tuesday 2 3 2004 Baggeridge Colliery Query Response Many thanks to Suzanne Daniel for responding to Reginald Woodhall's recent request for contact details for Baggeridge Colliery employment records. Suzanne gives two telephone numbers to ring for national insurance details of ex miners: 0845 9152191 or 0845 9152629 - but explains that due to an industrial dispute at moment the phones are not being answered. Suzanne also lists a possible alternative number of 0191 213 5000. Wednesday 18 2 2004 Karaoke at The Crown S. Miller has contacted Yampy to let us know that there is now "Antz Karaoke" at The Crown in Holloway Street every Friday and Saturday evening. Monday 2 2 2004 Gas Servicing for Council Tenants Dudley Council have reminded tenants that they are entitled to annual safety checks on their gas appliances. If you believe that your property has not been visited within the last year by one of the CORGI registered installers contracted to the Council, ring 01384 818283 to arrange a convenient time. Thursday 22 1 2004 Success for Suzanne Suzanne Jones of Upper Gornal has won a national competition. She is Manager of the Year for estate agents Halifax. Sue works at the Selly Oak branch. Saturday 10 1 2004 Where's the Black Wall? Ivor, who is trying to trace details of Joseph & Martha Marsh in our Roots section, has noted ithat in 1841 they were living at "Gornal Black Wall". Where is, or was, this place? Please email the Newsdesk if you can help. Monday 27 10 2003 Ellowes School Memories Many thanks to Stewart Wright from Upper Gornal, for letting us know that a photograph of Ellowes pupils and teachers from around 1976 has surfaced at www.friendsreunited.co.uk. Stuart tells us that a rather young looking Angus Dunphy can be seen. Monday 7 10 2003