St George comes to Saint John's 20th April 2013

       



A gentleman from St James, Whitley, lent us a dragon which he carved from a tamarisk root



Our late friend John Russell organised Willenhall’s first St George’s Day celebration back in 2011. As a tribute to his memory, and as a way of bringing the community together, we have continued in John’s spirit and established St George’s Day as an ongoing event.

This year, the Community Champions, the Willenhall Local History Group and the Vicar and congregation joined together to hold St George’s Day in the church and hall of St John the Divine.

 Funds for the event were raised during a charity bag-pack at Asda Abbey Park, by kind permission of Kim Evans and Lynn Bowen. We had never done anything like this before, but in the end there was a great spirit of camaraderie among the bag-packers, The customers were most generous, and helped us to raise over £300.

In the Easter holidays, Community Champions Carole and Jo held two children’s workshops at the Hagard, which provided a gallery of lovely pictures and stories to decorate the church hall on the day.

We were very lucky with the weather; 20^th April was sunny and warm, with gentle breezes. Churchwarden Rose Harding arrived early to put the baked potatoes in the oven and prepare the fillings. She worked tirelessly all day and was an absolute rock of support throughout.

At 11 am the guests began to arrive, among them our MP, Jim Cunningham, and local councillor, Ram Lakha, welcomed by Kate Lee who was our MC for the day.



Kate our MC for the day, chatting to Betty L before the event began

Katrina, with Jim Cunningham, Ram Lakha and others

We began with a service in the church, during which Kate told us the story of St George. Afterwards, Katrina invited us all to write down our own personal ‘dragons’ on a piece of paper, and place them on the altar. We then adjourned to the space by the west window for a performance of the traditional Mummers’ Play. Nick had us in fits as the Doctor, and Rose took a break from the kitchen to play a major role.

A hot lunch of baked potatoes with various fillings was enjoyed by all, then we gathered back in the church for an old-time sing-along with Margaret, the church organist, at the keyboard. Meanwhile, Carole and Jo supervised children’s activities at the craft and cookie-decorating table, and people enjoyed a get-together over delicious cakes, coffee and tea.



Craft and cookie tables, festively decorated



We’re ‘looking on the bright side’ for next year’s event, which we are already planning, and we hope to bring the spirit of St George to Willenhall for many years to come.



Lunchtime in the hall



                                 Groups get together for a springtime ramble

On the balmiest day of the year so far, a group of intrepid walkers gathered together at Whitley Community Centre at the start of a 5-mile ramble from Whitley Grove to Willenhall Woods and back again. This event, led by Lucy Hawker of the Sowe Valley Project (and Sandy her greyhound) brought together the two history groups of Whitley and Willenhall, as well as the Friends of Sowe Valley and Willenhall Wood.

We were able to connect with our historical heritage and the natural world, with stops along the way to point out interesting features. Frances Twyman of the Whitley Group told us the story of the Hood and Petrie families who once owned the Whitley Abbey House. Despite local legends of mysterious hauntings, it was never a monastery. The house is long gone, but the grounds, with their ancient trees, deep gulches and bubbling springs, are a reminder of past glories. Whitley is very much the land of two rivers, as both Sowe and Sherbourne flow through the area, and there is something very special about the atmosphere in the woodland there.

Passing into Willenhall, members of the local history group pointed out the route of Weeping Lane, the original pack road into Coventry, which was later diverted and widened to become the London Road. The very real presence of the Chace Hotel, one-time country residence of city coroner Dr Iliffe, plus historical pictures of the old Willenhall House, which stood on the corner where the Marina chip shop is now, helped us to emphasise that we had our mansions in Willenhall too.

At the Community Centre in Middle Ride, we stopped for refreshments, before  strolling through Willenhall Woods, pausing to admire the imaginative signboard.

After that, it was time to trek back to Whitley for the end of our circular walk and a welcome cuppa at the Community Centre. We reflected on the fact that, for city dwellers, we have an amazing amount of green space at our disposal. How lucky we are to live in a beautiful place, with such a great community spirit.

Bras for Africa

Yesterday, in preparation for International Women's Day, the Hagard main hall was festooned with 40 assorted bras, stretching three quarters of the way round the room. The garland, made up of unwanted or unloved support garments which had been languishing at the back of clothes cupboards, was collected and installed by the women of the local area.

In a scheme organised by Oxfam, these bras will be sent to parts of West Africa, where there are no lingerie factories at present. The women will be able to sell the donated bras, as well as working out a pattern to produce their own, creating a series of sustainable businesses.

As today, 8th March, is International Women's Day, I'd like to send out greetings to women: in Coventry, in the UK and all over the world.

February Walks

By the old pumping station, just off the London Road

Despite everything that February can throw at us in terms of chills and floods, we have been continuing our regular Tuesday afternoon walks around the area. (Just a reminder for those who might like to come and join us: we meet every Tuesday at 2pm in Willenhall Library and walk for approximately one hour.)

Last Tuesday we struck out along the path which runs by the back of the Alan Higgs Centre. This is one of our most popular routes, as the area is so beautifully landscaped that it feels like being in the depths of the countryside.The old pumping station in the distance has a real air of mystery about it, surrounded by some magnificent evergreen trees. Hopefully, this atmospheric building will never be pulled down;  it's a fine example of functional architecture and an important landmark in the area.

We headed back to Willenhall via the metal footbridge over the Sowe, and paused to look into the swollen river. Everywhere is waterlogged at the moment, and we did have to squelch through some enormous puddles. I was able to test out my new Gore-Tex shoes to see if they were totally waterproof. (They were)



February flood



Belated Happy New Year

After a few software problems, the Willenhall Blogger is back online. It's certainly been a busy time since Christmas: the members of the History Group have been working flat out to produce a display for Sowe Valley School, about the river, its history and environment.

The HealthyWalks group began the New Year with another foray into Willenhall Woods. It was a grey, windless afternoonwith a distinctly creepy atmosphere.



Warty Tree



Sinister tree stump: reminded us of the Donnie Darko Rabbit

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Inspired by the digital media project for 2013 featuring feet, these are some of ours.....



These boots were made for walking



A mysterious walk in the fog

Despite freezing fog and bone-chilling cold, the members of the Willenhall Healthy Walks Group set out for Willenhall Woods yesterday afternoon. This turned out to be a magical experience: the deep stillness of the misty woods caused us to tap into a vein of childhood reminiscence. For some of us, Narnia sprang to mind, and we half expected Mr Tumnus to come strolling along the path. Others imagined themselves creeping through the Wildwood of the Wind in the Willows, looking out for the entrance to Mr Badger's subterranean home. There was definitely a special atmosphere in the Woods that afternoon: how lucky we are to have this ancient, spiritual place right on our doorstep.

The Hagard Christmas Fete: Gateway to the festive season

The first day of December saw a jolly gathering at the Hagard Community Space for the annual Christmas Fete: a great way to start the festive season. There were craft stalls, tombola tables with some lovely gifts, delicious cakes and biscuits and a magical Santa's Grotto.



Setting up at the beginning of the event

The Wind Band performs

 Musical entertainment was provided by the Coventry Youth Wind Band, run by the Performing Arts Service. This talented group played a selection of carols and favourite Christmas tunes. Santa took the baton at one point, and made a good job of conducting the band.




Santa's got rhythm


The music students of Ernesford Grange School took their turn on the stage, and after performing some of their songs, they led the audience in a hearty rendition of 'The Fairytale of New York' and Slade's 'Merry Christmas'. This isn't the first time I have enjoyed community singing in Willenhall: maybe Gareth Malone should come along and organise us into a choir, as when we are in full voice we are very good indeed.