• Volunteers needed
  Bearwood Blog 02 Dec 12
  In order for Bearwood on Ice to run smoothly the organisers are dependent on the help of a small army of volunteers to steward the event. Although the event is supported by the Council, it just wouldn't be possible if they had to pay staff run it. So, if you think you could help out, for an hour…
• Actually Advent: Good News of Great Joy
  The Vicar’s Wife 02 Dec 12
  So it’s actually Advent, and I only got my act together this morning to download this lovely free e-book from John Piper onto my cheap and cheerful table that I use for daily bible reading. Thankfully, the readings began today, so there’s even time for you to download it too and not be too…
• Silvershine Jazz
  Bearwood Blog 02 Dec 12
  The Bearwood Jazz website has been revamped to recognise its launch as the Silvershine Jazz Club , and they have kindly added this blog, as well as WeloveBearwood to their extensive list of local jazz links. Silvershine Jazz will be launched on Thursday 20th December at Corks, with guest stars including…
• Back to the future
  Mike Maynard 02 Dec 12
  I was transported back in time this week, to my school-days  I went to an informal school reunion in the local pub. That bit at the end of the school in the picture was the school hall and it had a balcony at the back. That was torn down when they turned it into a netball court as part of Comprehensive…
• Very late submission from the Metropolitan Police to the Leveson inquiry suggests John Yates has yet more serious questions to answer.
  Tom Watson MP: Labour – West Bromwich East 01 Dec 12
  A remarkable last minute submission from the Metropolitan police to the Leveson inquiry has been brought to my attention by the twitter user going by the name of @MrsTrevithick. The submission claims that as far back as 2009, senior investigating officers at the Metropolitan police had a strong belief…
• A week of nostalgia
  Mike Maynard 01 Dec 12
  Full Moon There has been a full moon this week and a week of nostalgia for me. On Facebook the new ‘The History of Wednesbury’ continued to get more ‘likes’ and contributions.  There is a lot of interest in local history now, Distinctly Black Country is another Facebook page. I also went to an informal…
• Anticipating Advent: Remember the Meaning
  The Vicar’s Wife 01 Dec 12
  Great clip from Rico Tice that challenges us about the true meaning of Christmas. Advent is a time to remember that truth and think about the wait for the Saviour at his first coming and anticipate his return in glory.
• Local comics given chance to shine
  The Birmingham Press 30 Nov 12
  The Public in West Bromwich is inviting budding comedians from across the Midlands to step up to the microphone, and take part in a unique comedy showcase, with the opportunity to win a £100 cash prize!
• Sandwell Sees the Light
  Sandwell Conservatives 30 Nov 12
  Not being parley to the discussions that have been going on, Its pleasing that one of West Bromwich’s flag ship companies has made a deal to stay in the Town. BBC radio news mentioned that SMBC has re negotiated the deal with the West Brom Building Society to stay in the Town Sandwell Tory Said We welcome…
• Congrats to the West Brom
  Cllr Darren Cooper: The Bottom Line 30 Nov 12
  I’m dead chuffed to hear that theWest Brom (building society, that is) is to build a new HQ and stay in the town. This really is super news. It’s good for the members of the society and its staff and it’s good for the council’s drive to regenerate West Bromwich town centre. Remember, the centre’s already…
• The Great British potato shortage
  Mike Maynard 30 Nov 12
  There is always an excuse for higher food prices and now it’s a shortage of potatoes. Earlier in the year farmer’s organisations said there would be a shortage because of the ‘drought’. They did their rain dances and rain came and kept on coming. After a summer of persistent and record breaking rainfall…
• Blackheath Tree of Life
  Sandwell Conservatives 30 Nov 12
  The regular Blackheath tree of Life as been turned on in all its glory, now in its 11 th year and its third year at St Paul’s Parish Church in Long Lane. Its founding organiser, former Councillor and Secretary of the Blackheath Community and Business Association Mrs Mary Docker said “ People can sponsor…
• Batter Bearwood
  Welovebearwood 30 Nov 12
  We just love this…… Bearwood Fish Bar on Three Shires Oak Road have found the perfect solutionfor the Christmas Dinner Takeaway! Battered turkey, batteredsprouts, battered parsnips,battered pigs in blanket and even batteredmincepies and battered Christmas pudding. Owners Maxine and Steven Devonport…
• Thimblemill Library's December Calendar
  Welovebearwood 29 Nov 12
  Reading groups, craft clubs, jewellery making sessions, health surgeries and creative classes for kids throughout the month not forgetting the A Christmas Story Coffee Morning on Monday 1st December and the Storytelling cafe on Thursday 13th December, we’re so lucky to have Thimblemill Library right…
• Are you ready….
  Bearwood Blog 29 Nov 12
  
• Chamberlains is the plaice to be!
  Welovebearwood 28 Nov 12
  One of our recent discoveries and favourite plaices to eat(see what we did there….eh?) has to be Chamberlains Fish and Chips Restaurant . If they serve fish and chips in heaven this is what they’ll taste like.Click on here tofind outwhy! There are so many exciting things happening at Chamberlains…
• Anticipating Advent: Activities
  The Vicar’s Wife 28 Nov 12
  Our big Advent activity in the Vicarage is always the Jesse Tree – a bare twig we cover in decorations that take us through the salvation story to Jesus. We don’t always manage to get all the way through the readings and the decorating, but we make an attempt each year and cover at least…
• Sandwell's Economic Growth
  Sandwell Conservatives 27 Nov 12
  I see that after April 2013 some of the councils revenue is to be linked to the Councils ability to support local firms and create jobs in its area. If Sandwell helps traders and business to set up and flourish it will be able to retain a 50% share in the business rates and on top of that they can keep…
• Parliament and independent press regulation – a chronology of ducks.
  Tom Watson MP: Labour – West Bromwich East 26 Nov 12
  If you are interested in press reform, the chronology of events below should tell you how previous politicians have ducked their responsibility to act. When Leveson reports on Thursday, it will be up to you to convince your local MP that they should have the courage to finally deal with this issue…
• Policy Brief: Mandated Data Release: A New ‘Right to Data’ Power For the Information Commissioner’s Office by Tom Steinberg,1st June 2011
  Tom Watson MP: Labour – West Bromwich East 25 Nov 12
  Tom Steinberg, boss of My Society and former adviser to the Conservative party and last Labour government, has just published a number policy advice papers on his site. They represent five years of advice to ministers and the Conservatives when in opposition. I’m slowly ploughing through them…

More Sandwell blogs…

• Meeting Minutes
  Changing Our Lives 30 Nov 12
  Here are the minutes from Dudley People’s Parliaments. dudley Peoples Parliament Meetings minutes DudleyMPMinutes26thOct2012_1.pdf
• November's Bearwood Handmade
  Crafty Muthas 30 Nov 12
  We’ve officially opened the Christmas season and cheer with our November Bearwood Handmade Fair. The doors opened at 10am last Saturday to welcome the Bearwood community… and even though it was grey and the skies opened with rain, we still had a very busy day. I ran around in my usual last minute…
• Calling all budding comedians!
  The Public 29 Nov 12
  Fancy yourself as the next rising comic star?
• From the vicarage December 2012
  Transforming Grace 29 Nov 12
  Ho, ho, ho!!! ‘Tis the season to be jolly. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la. The UK is about to host the biggest birthday party of the year, again. Even bigger than the Torch Relay and the Olympics, bigger than the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Christmas Day will be massive. We’ll scoff around…
• Run your own workshop!
  The Public 28 Nov 12
  Art Fun 2013
• How Gone has helped me grasp the gospel better
  Transforming Grace 28 Nov 12
  Regular readers of this blog will know the story of Gone , our local rough sleeper, who has been on the streets of the Black Country for 30 years.  Last year, he spent 4 months up to Christmas sleeping under our hedge in the front drive, as we tried, succeeded and failed to get him into Betel .  He…
• Santa in the Woods
  Warley Woods Community Trust 27 Nov 12
  Spaces are still available to see Santa on Saturday 8th December (1pm – 4pm) call on 0121 429 2440 to book. This is our Simply Santa event where the grotto, shop and cafe will be open. Santa in the Woods is on Sunday 9th December – starting at 4pm with Santa at the Fountain. He then rides…
• Samee becomes Chief Executive!
  Changing Our Lives 27 Nov 12
  This year’s Children’s Commissioners Take Over day saw over 50,000 children and young people taking over Schools, Parliamentary meetings, Councils and the Police to name but a few. Samee Ahmed took over the role of Jan Britton, Chief Eexcutive Officer, Sandwell MBC for the morning. Samee is 12 and has…
• Gemma Takes Over
  Changing Our Lives 26 Nov 12
  This year’s Children’s Commissioners Take Over day saw over 50,000 children and young people taking over Schools, Parliamentary meetings, Councils and the Police to name a few. One of our young leaders, Gemma Caffrey, had the opportunity to take over the role of Dr Maggie Atkinson, The Children’s Commissioner…

More Sandwell blog features…