We had the sunniest April on record, with 47% more sunshine hours than the long-term average. It was also the third-warmest April on record and the spring season so far has been the driest in over a century. The driest April on record in the UK was 1938, with only 14.1mm of rain recorded. The next driest was 1974, with 14.6mm of rain. More recent driest Aprils include 2007 (26.6mm) and 2020 (29.1mm). It’s now starting to affect the crops, but we know the rain won’t stay away for long.

Two of our committee members have decided to cut back on the work, through problems with their health. Gladly Geoff Nixon and Lynne Davies will be staying on in an ad-hoc basis. We value any help from all and greatly welcome anyone who would like to join the committee and get involved with organising events. Geoff’s wife, Jo, will still continue making her fabulous handmake cards for the Society, which are available at our coffee mornings.

There has been a short delay in organising our yearly outing, hopefully it will be to Blists Hill, Pam will report more later when we have more information. We had another bit of sad news in April, Trevor McFarlane passed away. Trevor was a good friend to the Society. We have also lost one of our members, Mac Meredith. Our deepest sympathy to their families. As you can see I’m now back as Chairman, nobody wished to take it on and bang the gavel, so my time away from the Chairmanship was brief to say the least. 

---

This year (2025), Great Wyrley Wesley Methodist Church are celebrating their 100th year in the current building. In 1925, when the new building was opened, the church published a souvenir book entitled “A Short History of Wesleyan Methodism at Wyrley”, written by Mr Thomas Sambrook, a member of the church. As part of the celebrations this book has been reproduced, an introduction written and extra photographs added at the end. It is a delightful book that tells an earlier story of life in Great Wyrley, the photographs of the people involved are gloriously “old-fashioned” well worth reading. It is priced at only £5.00 per copy (possibly the bargain of the century). You can obtain a book from Great Wyrley Wesley Methodist Church on Wednesday’s between 9:30am – 3:00pm. Or contact either: Pat Jones on 01922 412094 or John Devey on 01922 412008. 

---

It’s such a lovely sight to see in Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay, villagers coming together for the annual scarecrow competition. The Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay Scarecrow competition has been running for five years, starting in 2020. The event was initiated by Sally-Anne Ashford to celebrate what should have been Great Wyrley Carnival day, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, the competition marked its 5th anniversary, with the theme being “Days Out”. Villages proudly displayed their weird and wonderful scarecrows, there was so many creative ideas from local schools, care homes, churches, business, pubs, groups and homeowners all getting involved. Held over two days, this years winners was ‘1st Great Wyrley Scouts’ ahead of The Swan Inn and Vogue Hairdressers.

The festival culminated on Sunday, with a fair organised by Great Wyrley Carnival Committee outside Harrisons Sports and Social Club. featuring food stalls and entertainment. Carnival Committee member Pauline Kelsey said ‘It’s been a great weekend and the weather was great, which always help for a successful event.” Around £370 was raised and will be put towards Great Wyrley carnival on Saturday 28th June 2025, which will be held on the back of The Star Inn ground, on the Walsall Road.

---

---

Our guest speaker – Stefan Wild, has write a book called ‘Longest way up, shortest way down’ on his life as a mounted policeman. He came and gave a cracking talk about the time he spent has a mounted copper in Birmingham City Police. Copies of his book was available on the day to purchase. I have the book its a great read and surprisingly he lives in Cheslyn Hay!

Stefan Wild – ‘Longest way up, shortest way down’ Book is available to buy from Amazon.

---