Zumba, the dance fitness program designed to make exercise fun is currently sweeping the nation and classes are now running four nights a week in Wednesfield.

With 60,000 fitness center locations in 105 countries and seven-and-a-half million participants (including a certain WV11 author!), not to mention a soon to be released video game, Zumba is something of a dance/exercise revolution.

Local instructor Vicky Thomas is currently running classes four nights a week in and around WV11 and is also considering running Zumba toning classes as demand is growing.

Zumba Classes in Wednesfield:

Mondays: 7:30pm – 8:30pm at Pool Hayes Arts and Community School

Tuesdays: 6:30pm – 7:30pm at Coppice Performing Arts School

Wednesdays: 6pm – 7pm at Coppice Performing Arts School

Thursdays: 8pm -9pm at Coppice Performing Arts School

Classes cost £4 per session, Alternatively you can purchase 10 classes in advance for just £35 saving you 50p per class.

For more information please call Vicky Thomas on 07599 333 718 or email vixen64@btinternet.com. If you would be interested in taking part in daytime classes please let Vicky know.

An appeal is being made to catch those responsible for vandalising two pieces of outdoor gym equipment at Ashmore Park.

The items, a rider and a double sit-up bench, were part of a nine-piece gym installed at the Wednesfield park last month thanks to £15,000 in funding from Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust.

The incident is believed to have happened over the weekend of July 2 and 3, 2011, and saw the double sit-up bench destroyed by fire and the seat from the rider ripped off.

Wolverhampton City Council has informed police and is in the process of arranging for the rider to be repaired. The double sit-up bench now has to be removed while the city council considers its options. The rest of the outdoor gym is open as normal.

Rob Willoughby, Wolverhampton City Council’s Assistant Director for Leisure and Communities, said: “This is an outrageous act of vandalism on a brand new facility and, by doing this, the perpetrators have denied local people the chance of using some of the equipment, at least temporarily.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to contact the police on 0345 113 5000.”

The outdoor gym is one of a number in parks around the city which have been installed to give park users the chance to take part in gentle exercise.

WV11′s thoughts…

In the past couple of months we have received numerous reports from readers of equipment being damaged in the park.

It’s a crying shame that a small minority of mindless idiots are allowed to get away with destroying equipment that the majority of  local people appreciate.

We shall be attending the next PACT meeting and will ask that increased Police patrols and park security are made a PACT priority.

If you would like to see these issue made a priority by the local Police team, please vote on our Facebook Poll to show your support.

Article Source: Wolverhampton City Council

Photo: WV11.co.uk

Wednesfield North Police Team and Fatty’s Bait & Tackle shop are holding a fishing competition to mark National Fishing Month this August.

The event which takes place from 10am – 2pm on August 5th will offer over £100 in prizes.

Where? Casltebridge to Broad Lane South canal, meeting at the canal side for 9:15am for drawing of pegs and time to set up.

How? Bait will be provided free of charge by Fatty’s Fishing Tackle and a rod licence will be provided for the day by British Waterways.

What? You will need: rod, reel keep net, landing net and any other tackle.

First prize: £50 tackle voucher for Fatty’s
Second place: 8ft pole
Third place: £30 Fatty’s tackle voucher

Registration is required by no later than Wednesday 27 July, click here to download an entry form which you can print off.

All forms to be returned to Fatty’s Tackle shop, Griffiths Drive, Ashmore Park (bottom shops). You will be notified by phone by 3 August if you have been chosen to take part.

Wednesfield’s AMF bowling alley re-launches as Hollywood Bowl on Friday 27th May with lower prices and new facilities.

The former AMF site at Bentley Bridge Retail Park which only opened a couple of years ago has been refitted and includes a new arcade with a ‘play to win’ area where gamers can win tickets which they can exchange for prizes.

A brand new children’s party area with disco lighting has been created and new lighting including disco lights, lasers and neons have been installed throughout the lanes, “to make extreme bowling even more fun and exciting”.

The fully licensed bar will now be open until midnight every Friday and Saturday, with a brand new cocktail menu in place after 9pm which includes a huge bowling ball shaped pitcher to share for £7.

New Prices

Monday – Friday before 6pm (off peak)

Adults: 1 game £3.35
Under 16′s: 1 game £2.55

2 Adults + 2 Under 16′s: 1 game: £10.60
2 Adults + 2 Under 16′s: £16.00
(4 people minimum, 2 under 16′s)

Monday – Friday after 6pm + all day Saturday & Sunday (peak prices)

Adults: 1 game £4.95
Under 16′s: 1 game £3.95

2 Adults + 2 Under 16′s: 1 game £15.60
2 Adults + 2 Under 16′s: 2 games £26.00
(4 people minimum, 2 under 16′s)

Friday & Saturday from 10pm

Unlimited bowling for £10 per person from 10pm.

Morning Deals

2 games + a drink (tea/coffee/squash) for just £4.95 pp 10am-4pm – Monday-Friday

£1 games on Saturday / Sunday from 9am-11am (+ a special £1 menu during this time).

New children’s party packages are also now available.

Peak prices vary during school holidays. Special concession rates are also available.

For more information email ukbentleybridgecentre@amfbowling.co.uk or call 01902 866 760 or alternatively visit Hollywood Bowl’s website or Facebook page.

We recently received the following email from West Mercia County Scouts:

Our organisation is actively searching for a suitable candidate for the role of County Explorer Scout Commissioner. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic person to lead the section at county level and help the County Commissioner, district commissioners and District Explorer Scout Commissioners to progress the Explorer Scout Section in our 10 districts.

Prior experience as an adult member of the association is not a pre requisite to be considered for this position, but enthusiasm, drive, commitment and sense of fun is!

If you or someone you know would like more information please see either the attached role description or contact me direct for a chat – the deadline is 28th February 2011.

[gview file="http://www.wv11.co.uk/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CESC-or-ACC-explorers.pdf"]

Thank You

Paul Wong
County Commissioner –West Mercia
The Scout Association
Web: www.westmerciascoutcounty.org.uk
Email: westmerciacc@live.co.uk
Tel: 0121 421 2019 Mob: 07979 803141
Join the adventure at www.scouts.org.uk/join

A free wi-fi service is now available at Wednesfield’s new Community library.

Perhaps you’ve received a new laptop or smartphone for Christmas? If so, you can now take advantage of the service at the library.

“Free wi-fi is ideal for those wishing to work, study or play in a quiet area or for those wishing to test out their new gadgets in peace,” said Senior Librarian Duncan Fellows.

“It is a great addition to our range of services. In the first month, more than 1,500 people have accessed the network using over 500 hours of free wi-fi.

“Not only can you access the Internet free of charge but you can also gain access to a range of sites that are usually available only by subscription. Sites such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, newspaper archives, Oxford Reference Online and the Driving Theory Test practice tests are all available to library users free of charge.”

“All you need to access the network is a library card. More information can be found by visiting www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries or by visiting your local library.”

Source: Wolverhampton City Council

Wardens have recently dealt with several resident concerns which have included:

• Several elderly residents suffering from anti-social behaviour from neighbours in Ashmore Park
• A couple in the Perry Hall area suffering with problems caused by children from another area playing football; when spoken to the children were aggressive and abusive
• Ongoing concerns about a family in the Wednesfield area causing anti-social behaviour and possible drug dealing
• An elderly lady having problems with her neighbour’s dog
• A resident in Long Knowle experiencing harassment from several neighbours
• Problems with the garage site on Whiston Avenue; possible drug dealing and drug activity taking place

ACTIONS TAKEN

The wardens have taken various actions to resolve the above problems. They include:

• Reassurance visits to homes of residents with concerns
• Information gathering
• Shared information with relevant partner agencies including police and anti-social behaviour unit
• Provoked interest in setting up a neighbourhood watch group. Delivered the relevant information and contact details

INITIATIVES

• Wardens have distributed bike safety locks to children at Corpus Christi school. The idea behind the initiative is to get children more active by cycling to school over a set period of time. In return they are rewarded with a new bike lock. The wardens are looking to introduce this idea to other schools in the Wednesfield area
• Wardens are working closely with the Brownies at St.Gregory’s Church. In return for funding for their Brownie anniversary celebrations, the Brownies are to commit some of their time to a community project; the type of project, is yet to be decided

Click here to see what the Wednesfield and Fallings Park Neighbourhood Wardens have been up to during August in their latest Newsletter.

After a record number of entries the annual Wolverhampton Homes Garden Competition was a celebration of the hard-working men, women and children of Wolverhampton who make the city a more pleasant place to live.

The winners were announced last night (Wednesday 22 September) in a ceremony held in the Mayor’s Parlour at Wolverhampton City Council Civic Centre and included 4 winners from Wednesfield:

Mr A Pountney (Wednesfield) – Overall & Garden Winner
Lee Hewitt (Wednesfield) – Bronze
Alan Pardoe (Ashmore Park) – Bronze
P Singh (Wednesfield) – Highly Commended

Mayor Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, who gave out the awards with Chair of Wolverhampton Homes Sue Roberts, said: “Wolverhampton Homes and Wolverhampton City Council share a common value to make our city a more pleasant place for all of us to live. I understand that the standard of entries was higher than ever before which is testament to the effort put into them.”

Judge Paul Duffy of Continental Landscapes said that it was an incredibly hard job to choose the winners.

For a full list of winners, visit the Wolverhampton Homes website.

It was smiles all round as Wolverhampton’s newest library was officially opened this week.

The new Wednesfield Library was unveiled by Wolverhampton’s Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, who praised library staff for the welcoming atmosphere at the ‘striking’ building.

Staff were joined by members of the public, local businesspeople and religious leaders as well as the project’s architects, builders and representatives from the Big Lottery Fund as the ribbon was cut.

The eye-catching library, on the corner of Well Lane and Rookery Street, cost £2.2million to build and was funded jointly by Wolverhampton City Council and the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Library Fund.

Branch librarian Carol Howarth said: “We are so excited to have officially opened to the public. The building is fantastic and welcoming and we’ve had so many people say how much they like the new library.

“It is not only bigger, giving us more space for activities for children, but also has an increased number of PCs for people to use, free of charge. We are very pleased to be so busy in our new home, which is right in the heart of the community of Wednesfield.”

Construction Director Phil Walker from G F Tomlinson added, “We are delighted to have worked with Wolverhampton City Council once again. G F Tomlinson has built a library and community facilities that I am sure will provide an excellent learning and education source as well as an area focal point for the local community for many years to come.

“We are happy to be able to use our extensive expertise on this truly iconic project.”

The new library is open from Monday to Saturday with late night opening until 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries or call the library on 01902 556278.

Photo courtesy of Wolverhampton City Council.

Stone plaques have been erected to celebrate the heritage of one Wolverhampton’s most popular green spaces.

And they also mark the completion of the £2m makeover of Wednesfield Park and King George V Playing Fields carried out by Wolverhampton City Council and British Waterways.

The stone lion and unicorn plaques, which now sit proudly on either side of the Amos Lane entrance gates, represent heraldic figures from the royal coat of arms of King George V, in whose memory the playing fields were created 1937.

Wolverhampton sculptor Malcolm Sier, who specialises in original monumental masonry, carved the figures using fine grain Italian limestone. They replace the original artificial stone pair which had been badly damaged by weathering during their 80 years on site.

Councillor Matt Holdcroft, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said: “The city council and British Waterways have been investing heavily in both Wednesfield Park and King George V Playing Fields over the last few years.

“The installation of these fantastic carvings mark the culmination of the renovation work, and they – as well as the other improvements which have been made – are well worth a look next time you visit the area.

“The park has something for everyone, from a fantastic facility for skaters and BMX bikers and a hugely popular fitness trail to magnificent floral displays and some brilliant public artwork to enjoy.”

Malcolm added: “I was delighted to be asked to produce such an important piece of sculpture and regard it as an honour to celebrate the park as our heritage and its continuing significance to us all.”

The improvement work at Wednesfield Park and King George V Playing Fields has included the construction of Wednesfield Plaza, a unique facility for skate boarding, in-line skating and BMX bikes, improvements to the children’s play area, the restoration of the multi-use games area and the installation of an outdoor fitness trail.

Other work has included the creation and resurfacing of footpaths around the park, tree and shrub planting and maintenance, the provision of extra seating and refuse bins and the replacement of boundary railings and gates.

In 2009, the new Trap-Makers Bridge over the Wyrley and Essington Canal opened, improving access between the park and the centre of Wednesfield, while the installation of the plaques marks the completion of the renovation to the gateway to the playing fields on Amos Lane.

The improvement programme attracted funding from both the European Regional Development Fund and the Safer Stronger Communities Fund.

Photos courtesy of Wolverhampton City Council.