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. 

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Not about Great Wylrey, but great bit of prehistoric fun that is helping to bring communities together. If you’ve been to Cannock park recently, you may think you were seeing things. Planted with support from the Trees for Climate programme, this unique feature is turning heads and alot are going back for a second look. Cannock Park has introduced it’s own stunning topiary dinosaur. It’s become a big talking point and set to become a local landmark, attracting alot of people just wanting to see the dinosaur and even have a selfie with the ferus looking creature, luckily it only stands about 5 feet tall. Cannock Park have a history for topiary, so its great that they have bought something to the park that is so different.

Now, Cannock Chase Council is calling on local children and families to help officially name the dinosaur by entering the ‘Name the Dinosaur’ competition.

Entries should be emailed to parksandopenspaces@cannockchasedc.gov.uk by no later than Friday 19 July. The winning name will be revealed at the grand opening of the new play area at Cannock Park this August, with the lucky winner receiving a special prize – presented by the Chairman of the Council.

Cannock Park are now asking for more ideas, so get your thinking cap on and let them know your ideas and see what else they can create out of a privet bush.

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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.

From The Chronicle Newspaper – 22nd May 2025

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Gone are the days when children receive a free bottle of milk, but looks like a new trend is starting with a free breakfast club at Landywood Primary School. Going back to the end of World War II, the “Free School Milk Act of 1946” was passed in the UK. This was mandated that all school children under 18 receive a daily allowance of milk. These bottles, often containing 1/3 pint or 200ml and were aimed to address concerns about malnutrition and its potential impact on children’s health and educational achievement.
In 1968 Edward Short, the Labour Secretary of State for Education and Science, withdrew free milk from secondary schools for children over the age of eleven. Then his successor, Conservative Margaret Thatcher stopped free school milk for children over the age of seven in the Education (Milk) Act 1971.

It’s now nice to hear that Landywood Primary School on Holly Lane, was one of only a number of schools to adopt an early morning breakfast scheme that provides free breakfast meals to pupils in reception to year six. They welcomed more than 50 pupils for early breakfast as part of a new government initiative. At present, 184 families have registered their interest in the programme, which shows how much impact today’s prices are having on families in the village. There has been alot of excitement from the children about the new Breakfast Bistro, as children can self-serve their own cereals and milk each morning while supported by staff. The children can also choose from a range of toast, bagels muffins and pancakes, alongside health ‘daily special’.

From The Chronicle 8th May 2025

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Freddy and Ginny Peaks kept The Red Lion in the fifties, there was many a great pint downed there. On August 3rd 1963, Maurice Terry Ridgway left to report for army service, he walked past the Red Lion. Mrs Perks was standing in the doorway, “Young Man” she called, Maurice went over to her. She put in his hand 10 Parkdrive Cigarettes and said “Good Luck”.