This coming Monday (29 August)  the Hickman Tenants and Residents Association have worked together to organise a fun-filled day for their community and they’ve sent an open invitation to those outside of the Hickman Estate to come join in the fun.

There will be a BBQ , a disco, bouncy castle, face painting and much more at the Hickman TRA, Plym Close, Wolverhampton, WV11 1QR  between 10am and 4pm.

For more information, call them on 01902 550889 – otherwise just turn up and enjoy the entertainment.

Are you aged 14 or over, live in the Wednesfield or Fallings Park area and would like to break into film, then this could be your chance.

This is a really exciting opportunity for local young people to get to grips, in a creative way, with an important contemporary issue.

Click here for more details and click here to download an application form that you can either post or email back to us at christine.lester@wolverhampton.gov.uk

For further details contact Cas Simpson at Ashmore Park Youth Club on 01902 552371.

All completed applications forms must be returned by Friday 22nd January.

A review of last night’s concert at St Thomas’s Church in Wednesfield starring the Ashmore Park Choir, another full house with just under £1000 pounds raised for the Christian Aid charity.

Once more Terry Green as the Musical Director has put together another wonderful Christmas show, along with Ros Green as the accompanist and John Billau as assistant conductor. Some traditional and not so traditional carols and the now legendary extra acts to accompany these, The Cornopean Brass Ensemble with Gillian Edwards had its now traditional part to play with six great pieces played in the two halves, the witty readings by Geraldine Blanchette were funny, Denis Billau’s rendition of “Fields of Athenry” was excellent, Lizzie Watson our own Nick the Vic’s daughter was wonderful in her flute solo of  ”The Dance Of The Snowmen” and Clive Williams’s Dylan Thomas reading was lovely.

As always, Irene Dodd who Terry calls “The Bard of Wednesfield” gave a wonderful monologue this time on how the Angel got on top of the Tree in her usual Yorkshire style and received a very mighty round of applause. I must say that the soloist singers, Rita Williams, Sue Ridgeway and Steve Robtham were a credit to the choir and made the entire evening a joy, with the congregation all being able to take part in some of the carols made it a wonderful evening and one many people look forward to every Christmas.

And finally, the choir sang a lovely new Christmas Carol which was written by Terry Green himself, hopefully we will hear more of his own carols next year.

Thanks to Viv for this great article! If you’d like to write for WV11, please get in touch.

It’s also the time of the year that the events calendar fills with Christmas parties and family visits, but if you still have some time to fill there are one or two things going on that are easy to get to and fun for all the family. We’ve put together a list of just SOME of the fun…

• Tuesday 8th December – Ashmore Park Choir, St Thomas’ Church
• Thursday 11th December, 5pm – 5.30pm, Santa’s coming to town Wolverhampton Town Centre
• Friday12th December to 31st January -  Grand Theatre, Cinderella
• Sunday 13 December 2009 – Christmas Craft Session at Bantock Park
• Wednesday 16th – 20th December, Arena Theatre, The Snow Queen
• Sunday 20 December 2009 – Christmas Craft Session at West Park
• Sunday 20th December, 10am – 4pm (parade 12 noon – 12.30pm)  – Father Christmas Charity Parade
• Tuesday 22 December 2009 – Wreath Making, Smestow Valley
• Tuesday 22 December 2009 – Winter Solstice, Smestow Valley
• Wednesday, 26 December 2009 – Boxing Day Walk, Northycote Farm.

For more information please contact the relevant places/organisations.

If you know of an event that you’d like us to add to the list, drop us an email or call/text 07855 409 319.

Simon Lees, Guitarist magazine’s Guitarist of the Year 1998 and former member of legendary rock band Budgie brings his one man rock show to the Cross Guns in Wednesfield tomorrow night, Sat 5th December!

The guitarist who appeared on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes as Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler will play a FREE gig which begins at 9pm.

Visit Simon’s website for more info.

… In the last few months it has welcomed a new owner Lyndsey Turner and with her comes a new name “Lora Crafts”.

It will still be stocking the wool I remember going in to buy as a child and most of the usual craft related items but Lyndsay will also be hunting down, and stocking, a large range of new lines – and  holding classes and regular craft events to show everyone how to get the most out of them.

To celebrate the festive season and to encourage you to get your crafty fingers out Lyndsay is offering all WV11 readers a 10% discount – all you need to do is drop by the shop and mention our website when you make a purchase.

For more information about the shop and its stock, for card tutorials and much more visit Lora Crafts blog www.loracrafts.blogspot.com/

[mappress]

* If you would like your business featured on WV11.co.uk take a look at our advertising page to find out how, If you have something to offer our readers you can even get the advertisement for free.

Friday afternoon saw over 200 local residents fill Wednesfield High Street outside St Thomas’ Church for the annual Christmas lights switch on.

The festivities included a choir service with performances from several local schools, a visit from Father Christmas who gave out sweets and raffle tickets and a speech from Wolverhampton’s Mayor, Councillor Surjan Singh Duhra.

Around 4:30pm Apprentice star and Wednesfield native Ruth Badger took to the stage to switch the lights on. Commenting on how she’d once watched the lights being switched on whilst sitting in the Job Centre down the road, Ruth whipped the crowd into a frenzy for the countdown to the switch on. Watch our video above to see the countdown!

There’s been lots of Wv11 news in the last week or so – here’s a round up…

Comic Relief fraudster spared jail
Express & Star – 13th November 2009

Cat’s teeth shattered by gun thugs
Express & Star – 13th November 2009

Lifeguard cleared over swimming pool drowning of Walsall father
This Is Walsall Online – 16th November 2009

Priory Group care home celebrates new dementia unit
Private Healthcare – 16th November 2009

Pride on the cards for troops facing Taliban
Express & Star – 18th November 2009

Cream of club scene celebrating awards
Express & Star – 18th November 2009

Screaming fans get taste of Twilight
Express & Star – 21st November 2009

The event begins at 3:30pm with the lights being switched on at around 4:30pm.

Is it time to put your decorations up?

Amber Lloyd, 13 and Amy Goodall, 14  won the opportunity to appear after more than 30 students auditioned from the school  in front of judges that included the lead performers Nikki Mae and Liam Doyle.

Having studied Drama myself at Coppice I have no doubt that the competition was tough!

You can see the girls in High School Musical 2 at 5pm this evening and other performances of the show at 8:30pm tonight, and tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7pm.

Tickets cost between £14.50 and £31.50, to book call the Grand on 01902 429212.