An enjoyable morning was held supporting the Walk for Health group. It focussed on the Edalji trail in the village.

Two further visits have been arranged to the National Memorial Arboretum. Members are asked to contact the Community Centre, as seats are limited.

The Townswomen Guild was the theme of the coffee morning address given by Pam and Pauline. The enlightening talk was interspersed with light-hearted tales and was enjoyed by the audience.

The upcoming Coffee Morning speakers are John Palmer on ‘Puppets’ and Anthony Hunt on ‘Local Murders’ in August and September respectively.

Arrangements have been made for the Centre to continue to be available until at least the end of the year on the fourth Thursday of each month. It enables members and guests to view our archives and library and undertake further family research efforts, as preferred.

The Society wishes a further member to join the Senior Citizens Centre Advisory Committee. This Committee meets periodically (typically five times per year). In the first instance, it would be appreciated if interested members could contact Gary or Diane for further details.

The Society supported the ‘Walk for Health’ group on their ‘Festival walk’ during the month. In the order of 60 – 70 walkers visited Jacobs Hall Lane and Wharwell Lane, amongst other locations, and were told the history of the area with a display awaiting the walkers on their return to the Wesley Chapel. The July walk is broadly called the ‘Edalji trail’ and should provide further points of historical interest.

The A.G.M. was held during the coffee morning. It was well attended and all Society Officers and Committee members were re-elected. The topics, and speakers, at future coffee mornings are July – History of Townswomen’s Guild with Pam Ball and Pauline Kelsey and August – John Palmer is speaking of ‘puppets’.

Gary gave a talk on Landywood Farm at the St. Andrews 2 to 3 club which provided an entertaining and enjoyable session.

The Society was pleased to issue a cheque for £100 to the Air Ambulance arising from the Ukulele / George Formby evening held recently at the Sports and Social Club.

The Carnival was blessed with good weather and was attended by in the order of 6,000 people. This was reflected in our stall where new and old members were welcomed throughout the day. All attendees thoroughly enjoyed the day’s activities.

It was a generally quiet, typical summer, month in terms of future engagements plus planned activities and it is expected that further points of interest will be confirmed in the coming months.

On the 13^th May, a visit was made to the Imperial War Museum, Manchester by a number of members of the Society. It was a lovely day. After looking at the exhibits and history in the museum, members did their own thing. Some visited the television studios and others travelled into Manchester by tram. A good day all round.

The little chapel in Upper Landywood was visited on the same night by Pam and Gary to give a talk on Landywood Farm on behalf of raising church funds. The talk went well with the people present and was enjoyed by all.

The A.G.M. will be held at the June coffee morning. Members are specifically asked to join in the discussions re the future direction of the Society. Any members who are unable to attend and wish specific points to be raised are asked to ring Gary on 418546 or Diane on 414417.

Dave Dunham was the guest speaker at the May Coffee morning. The talk on Zeppelin raids during the Great War was very informative. Many questions were raised and showed the interest of the audience.

Preparations are well advanced for our participation at the Carnival on June 27^th. It is hoped members will join us at our stand during the day.

Great Wyrley Sports and Social Club hosted a ukulele evening on May 27^th. Our Society organised the speaker, Jon Baddery from Stoke on Trent. He gave a talk on the life of George Formby complete with music. An accomplished banjo ukulele player, he sang a number of songs. This was followed by the Aldridge Ukulele Band playing for around 45 minutes. It was a great night. After paying out artists we donated £100 to Air Ambulance. It is hoped to do it again next year as Jon Baddery has more tales to tell on George Formby.

April 2015 Newsletter

The trip to the Imperial War Museum is on the 13th of May. It leaves Great Wyrley at 8.15 a.m. and returns about 4 p.m. The Lowry Art Gallery is also nearby. The cost is £15.00. Limited places remain. Please ring Di 414417 for further information.

The musical play ‘Four Winters at War’ is being presented by Cannock Chase Arts Council, at Birches Valley Concert Venue 6-9 pm. on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21st June. Tickets are £10 each and are available at the Prince of Wales Centre, online at boxoffice.wict.org or by calling 01543 578762.

The Society had a stall at the St. Georges Day celebration event held at Harrisons Club. A heavy shower did not deter the procession through the village or the attendees celebrating the event upon return to the Club.

A Society member, Andy Parsons, ran the London Marathon on behalf of a small underfunded medical research charity. The picture below (taken after five miles) is especially pertinent to a Wolves supporter like Andy. It meant that Baggies supporters kindly agreed to increase their sponsorship for the run. Please ring Ron 413849 for further information.

The Society has arranged a music event at the Sports and Social Club on May 27^th. John Baddeley will give a talk on the life of George Formby. It will be followed by a concert by a Ukulele orchestra. The evening starts at 8 p.m. The entrance fee is £3 and proceeds from the event will be shared with Air Ambulance service. For further information, please ring Gary on 418546.

The April coffee morning went off very well. Mac Joseph was our speaker. The talk and slide show was on the back to back houses of Ladywood Birmingham. The audience thought the talk was illuminating and we are going to invite him again next year for another one of his talks.

The speaker for the May coffee morning is Dave Dunham on sniping tactics in the Great War. In June, the coffee morning will be the A.G.M. and members are specifically asked to join in the discussions as to the future direction and plans for the Society.

The Society has a busy summer ahead and will be participating in a number of community events. These include Walk for health events on 17^th June and 8^th July, the Great Wyrley Carnival on June 27^th, and the St. Andrews 2 to 3 club on 29^th June. Plans are well advanced in preparation for our participation in the annual carnival on June 27^th.

Community News

Wyrley Wesley Chapel is holding a Mini-Market on Saturday 16^th May from 10.30 am to 12 noon and plant sales on 6^th June and 13^th June from 8am to 2pm.

A Friday Lunch Club is held monthly at the Community Centre. It includes a 3 course lunch and entertainment for £5 per person. To book, please pop in to the Parish Office in the Community Centre, Landywood Lane. Bookings are taken up to 12.30 on the Wednesday before the lunch date. Future dates are May 15^th, June 26^th, no luncheons July and August, Sep 25^th, Oct 23^rd and Nov 20^th. For further information, please ring the Parish Council office on 414768.

A reading group is taking place on the first Tuesday of each month at the Community Centre. For further information, please call Gail on 410563 or Diane on 414417.

The Arthur & George mini-series on TV provoked much interest. The Society was consulted and was included in newspaper articles in the Express and Star and Chronicle newspapers.

Alan Rose gave an interesting and informative address on ‘Pub Signs’ at the coffee morning. The range of signs displayed was surprisingly high. It was suggested that virtually every aspect was covered. This even included a prostitute with a Jack the Ripper sign in a pub in the East End of London.

The next two scheduled coffee morning speakers are Mac Joseph in April on ‘back to back houses in Birmingham’ and Dave Dunham in May on ‘air raids and sniping tactics in WW1’

A visit to the Imperial War Museum has been earmarked for 13th May. Diane is making provisional arrangements for review with members at the April coffee morning.

A broad range of general artefacts has been handed over by the High School. They have been shared with Trevor MacFarlane, as appropriate.

The Society is participating in the St. Georges Day celebration event at Harrisons on April 25th. The day includes a number of activities and will be shared with members at the April coffee morning. For further information, please ring Pauline on 414647.

The Society has arranged a music event at the Sports and Social Club on May 27th. John Badderey will give a talk on the life of George Formby. It will be followed by a concert by a Ukelele orchestra. More details will be included in the April news-letter and also shared with members at the April coffee morning. For further information, please ring Gary on 418546.

The Society has a busy summer ahead and will be participating in a number of community events. These include Walk for health events on 17th June and 8th July, the Great Wyrley Carnival on June 27th, the St. Andrews 2 to 3 club on 29th June and the Help for Heroes event on the Star field on 2nd August. More details will be included in subsequent news-letters.

Community News
Wyrley Wesley Chapel is holding a Mini-Market on Saturday 16th May from 10.30 am to 12 noon and plant sales on 30th April, 6th June and 13th June from 8am to 2pm.

A Friday Lunch Club is held monthly at the Community Centre. It includes a 3 course lunch and entertainment for £5 per person. To book, please pop in to the Parish Office in the Community Centre, Landywood Lane. Bookings are taken up to 12.30 on the Wednesday before the lunch date. Future dates are April 24th, May 15th, June 26th, no luncheons July and August, Sep 25th, Oct 23rd and Nov 20th. For further information, please ring the Parish Council office on 414768.

A reading group is taking place on the first Tuesday of each month at the Community Centre. For further information, please call Gail on 410563 or Diane on 414417.