Entertainment

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Sedgley Residents Invited To Cook Up A Storm on Come Dine With Me

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ITV is on the lookout for aspiring Sedgley chefs to appear in its popular cookery programme, Come Dine With Me.

Anyone who loves dinner parties and considers themselves a good cook is invited to apply and be in with the chance of winning a tasty cash prize.

In the much-loved daytime TV series, five strangers from all walks of life take turns to host the perfect dinner party for each other over five days. During this time, the strangers get to know each other better and sample each other’s cuisine – often with hilarious results. And, at the end of the week, the best host wins a £1,000 cash prize!

Anyone who would like to take part or knows someone from the Dudley area who would like to be involved is invited to call or email ASAP and leave their name, address, age and contact details.

Email cdwm@itv.com or call 0871 244 4142 to apply. Callers from a BT landline will be charged a set up fee of 14p per call plus 10p per minute. Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will cost considerably more.

Shoot dates are 10th September – 14th September 2012 and the show’s producers are looking for people over 18 years of age with a passion for cooking who want to demonstrate their skills.

 

 

 

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Summer Events in Bloom at Sedgley Community Centre

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Summer’s in bloom this weekend at Sedgley Community Centre, when green-fingered local residents will gather for this year’s Flower and Vegetable Show on Saturday, August 18.

The event, organised by Sedgley Gardening Club, continues to grow in popularity and is now in its 19th year. It’s an ideal opportunity for local growers to display their potting prowess and show off some of their bumper crops.

Members of the public are invited to come along to the Community Association Hall in Priory Lane and enjoy a packed programme of entertainment lined up for the day, including music from Wolverhampton Brass Band, plant stalls, cream teas, and a raffle and tombola with many prizes up for grabs.

The free event takes place from 12 noon and is sponsored by Dudley Building Society.

Harvest Festival Fun

Later on in the year, Sedgley residents can enjoy the best in local produce at the Community Centre’s Harvest Festival and Ploughman’s Lunch which takes place on September 15. During this event, a short thanksgiving will be held at 11.30am followed by an auction of produce.  The Ploughman’s lunch will commence at 12.30 pm.

Tickets, priced at £3, are available on the door or by calling Mrs Evelyn York on 01902 661682.
The concert by Ashmore Male Voice Choir on September 29 is sure to hit all the right notes this autumn  and begins at 7.30 pm.  Ticket price is £4 which includes tea/coffee.
On October 27, Sedgley residents can indulge in some spooky fun at the Community Centre’s Halloween Evening, where live band, Old Enough to Know Better, will be performing a selection of 60/70s and country music and a Sinatra cabaret will keep crowds entertained.  Guests and ghouls are invited to bring their own drinks for what promises to be a lively and hugely enjoyable evening of entertainment which will include
a charity raffle.
The evening starts at 8pm and tickets priced at £3 are available on the door or by calling Lesley Whitehouse on 07971 739042.

 

 

Sedgley zookeeper Lesley puts camels through their paces at Dudley Zoo

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Trainee keeper Lesley (then Brindley) at DZG camels section in 1989.

They may be known as the ships of the desert, but closer to home in Dudley, one Sedgley zookeeper is making sure two young Bactrian camels are on the right course.

Dudley Zoo keeper, Lesley Lewis, 39, first worked with camels at the leading tourist attraction at the age of 16.

She says: “Charlie and Jimandi are very big animals, and we need to be able to control them properly.

“They are just two years old and I am training them to respond to hand signals, and rewarding them with a high five and their favourite treat of carrots.
“When they have learned basic commands, we will introduce them to wearing head collars.”
Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) are large, even-toed ungulates native to the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts of Mongolia and Xinjiang with two fat-storing humps.

Sedgley Residents Invited to Give Their Jubilee Memories

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Sedgley residents are being invited to share their memories of the last 60 years as part of an exciting exhibition put together to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year.

The exhibition, called Sedgley’s Diamond 60, is the brainchild of local resident Martin Jones, who has helped the careers of numerous famous Black Country faces over the years, including music and movie star, Goldie.

Sedgley Memories

He says: “I’ve been interviewing Sedgley people for their memories of one day in the past 60 years of the Queen’s reign (i.e. Since 1952) that was especially important to them or to Sedgley itself. We have around 40 of the 60 stories we are looking for so far but still have plenty of gaps and some years are alas duplicated – so we’re still looking for contributions, particularly from the last 30 years.

 “Contributions should be around 300 words and up to 4 images can be accommodated – the displays will be on paper, black and white laser prints, A1 size.”
The finished stories will be presented to Sedgley Library and Dudley Archives and the exhibition itself will take place at All Saints’ Parish Hall from June 2-5, open from 11am -3pm daily.
Email Martin at mmjones29@blueyonder.co.uk  or call him on 07947 068023 to share your memories for Sedgley’s Diamond 60.

Countdown to Dudley Zoo’s 75th anniversary. . .

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Team Leader, Birds, Kellie Piper, with three of the 21 fibreglass penguins that will mark the launch of Penguin Bay and Dudley Zoo’s 75th anniversary.

The Countdown to the Bank Holiday anniversary launch of the £40,000 Penguin Bay at Dudley Zoo has begun.

 Wet and windy weather throughout the week hampered staff working on the walkthrough experience that opens to the public on Sunday, May 6 – the zoo’s 75th birthday – but final preparations are now underway.

 

Endangered

 

The three-month-long project has doubled the size of Dudley Zoo’s enclosure for 70 rare Humboldt   penguins – one of the largest colonies in Europe – and decking walkways and glass viewing platforms will bring visitors closer to the endangered South American birds.
DZG  CEO Peter Suddock, said: “For years customers have asked to get nearer to our colony of rare Humboldt penguins and the new layout means the whole family will be able to do just that, plus have a fantastic overhead viewing platform to watch them swimming.
“It will give the 70-plus birds more space and we have used a rock and sand-based substrate to mimic their wild habitat.”
Mr Suddock added: “Work has taken three months to complete and it has been particularly laborious as all of the birds were in situ throughout the whole of the programme which means we have been unable to use mechanical diggers for the operation.
“The penguins have been entertained by it all, and have been watching progress from the poolside.”

 

Refurbishment

 

The £40,000 project will also include refurbishment of nest boxes, checking and resealing of the pool and provision of a creche for young Humboldts.

The scheme, which has been designed in-house, has been funded by DZG with a £3,000  donation from Darlaston-based company Rubery Owen.
 DZG is home to one of the largest groups of Humboldt penguins in Europe, with more than 70 birds currently in the colony. The highly successful conservation programme has been recognised by BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), winning its award for sustained breeding of a species in captivity.

 

21 fibreglass penguins join colony

 

To mark Sunday’s anniversary the zoo has taken delivery of 21 bright birds!

The fibreglass penguins are painted in a rainbow of shades and will feature around the site – plus a whole load of surprise venues  in coming weeks!
DZG Head of Media and Communications, Jill Hitchman, said: “They’re fab models and really make everyone smile when they see them.
“We’ve named them all Dudley and have 21 in honour of Pingu, our oldest Humboldt penguin who celebrated his 21st birthday last week (Apr 24), and they will be placed around the Zoological Gardens in a special Penguin Trail.
“The 21 Dudleys will also be taking part in a whole series of adventures at schools, shopping centres and may even be going on holiday, we’ll just have to see where they turn up!”

 

Birthday celebrations at Dudley Zoo

 

Anniversary celebrations will start on Sunday, May 6 – the date the zoo opened to the public in 1937 – and continue throughout the next 12 months.

Two anniversary stars are already settling in; Amur tiger Tschuna and Sumatran tiger, Daseep, transferred in February and have already become visitors’ favourites.
Modification work to the big cats’ enclosure created an eye-level glass viewing area offering never-before-seen angles of the iconic triple Tecton complex, plus a live tiger cam for off-site viewing.
Also on the list is the restoration of the 1958 chairlift – one of the oldest in the country. Work will begin in May with midsummer completion and offer visitors a view from the air of some of the rarest animals in the world.
Mr Suddock added: “It’s going to be a fantastic year; not only is it our 75th anniversary, we’ll also be finalising plans for the new entrance, retail complex and Tecton interpretation centre, there are wonderful additions to the animal collection and, of course, the chairlift will be restored, so there’s a lot to celebrate.”
Visit the Dudley Zoo website for more information.

Spring into action at Sedgley Community Centre

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Spring into action with a wide range of events taking place at Sedgley Community Centre this year

Sedgley Community Centre has a wide range of events planned this spring, with something on offer for people of all ages.

The centre, situated in Ladies Walk, is well-known for being at the heart of activities in the village. And, in keeping with this tradition, there is a packed programme of events lined up to help Sedgley residents celebrate spring in style.

First of all,  jump into action this Jubilee year with the Diamond Jubilee Tea Dance on Saturday, June 2, which runs from 2pm until 4pm. In keeping with his regal occasion, anyone participating is asked to wear red, white and blue. There is no charge for admission and refreshments will be provided.

Dancing in Sedgley’s streets

Dust off your dancing shoes for a disco on Saturday, June 23, when local DJ, Steve Welch, will be spinning a stack of classic tunes from the 60s and 70s. Admission is £5 and anyone coming is invited to bring their own drinks. This event will also feature a fundraising raffle.

Summer is well and truly in bloom on Saturday, August 18, when the village’s greatest greenfingered residents unveil a stunning selection of colours and scents for the Sedgley Flower Show.

Harvesting the best of Sedgley

And, on Saturday, September 15, reap the rewards of living in the Black Country with the centre’s harvest and ploughman’s lunch event.  Starting at midday, this will feature a guest speaker providing a fascinating insight into harvest time followed by a delicious traditional ploughman’s lunch.  All are welcome and refreshments will be provided.

Finally, get crafty on Friday 28 and Saturday, September 29 with the Sedgley Live event, which will feature a craft fayre showcasing the skills of the village’s many talented residents.

In the near future, Sedgleyscene will be working with Sedgley Community Centre to bring you a regularly updated list of events. In the meantime, call 01902 678 490 for bookings and further information on this popular local venue.

Easter eggs-travaganza at Dudley Zoo

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Dudley Zoo trainee keeper Hannah Follows, of Gornal, with giant English rabbit, Honey.

Giant English rabbits will be hopping on to the Easter scene at Dudley Zoological Gardens this week to join a fortnight’s eggs-travaganza at the Castle Hill site.

Bonny bunnies Honey, Hazel and Holly will be joining the holiday funtime as youngsters take part in the zoo’s annual Easter Trail with a free chocolate rabbit for all completed entries.
There’s also a chance to enter a prize draw to win a year-long adoption package for a giant English rabbit – these mega bunnies weigh in at around 16lbs!
There’s an Easter bonnet parade at 1.30pm on Sunday (April 8) in the Castle Courtyard with a medal for all entries and a special Farmyard Meet and Greet for the winner of the best hat.
And for crafty young visitors, there are Easter activities in the Farm Barn and Discovery Centre, including the opportunity to decorate a plant pot and receive free pumpkin seeds (they’ll come in handy in autumn for the zoo’s Hallowe’en competition).

Tigers

Elsewhere across the 40-acre site there’s a chance to get close to newly-arrived tigers, Tschuna and Daseep via a peek through a glass viewing panel – scary! – and say hello to one-year-old Bornean orang utan, Sprout.
And see work in progress on Penguin Bay, the zoo’s 2012 walkthrough experience which allows visitors to get close to the 70-strong group of rare Humboldts penguins – the largest colony in the UK.
Penguin Bay is due to launch on May 6, the 75th anniversary of the date the zoo opened to the public in 1937.
Marketing Manager, Julia Lockett, says: “We’ve got lots lined up throughout the Easter hols so come along and join the fun, there’s something for all ages to enjoy, and a chance to get close to the world’s rarest animals and learn about some of our important worldwide conservation projects.”
Checkout our Easter eggs-travaganza at www.dudleyzoo.org.uk or call 01384 215313 for details.

Keeper continues family tradition at Dudley Zoo

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Emily, who lives in Gornal, is pictured with Winnie Timothy (left) and Alice Oakley, sadly now both deceased.

Dudley Zoo trainee keeper, Hannah Follows, discovered she is continuing a family tradition when her great grandmother handed her an old photo.

 The black and white image reveals 93-year-old Emily Evans, who lives in Gornal, at the Castle Hill site on the day the zoo opened to the public in May 1937.

Iconic

Emily, then 18, was employed as a cook in the Queen Mary Restaurant and the photograph shows her and two colleagues taking a rest outside the iconic Tecton building.
Sixteen-year-old Hannah said: “My great gran was so proud when
 I started at the zoo – I’m the site’s youngest apprentice – and she couldn’t wait to show me the photograph of her at work on the day the zoo opened.
“She’s still very interested in everything that goes on at the zoo and she’ll be coming along to our 75th anniversary celebrations in May to have a good look around, particularly in the Queen Mary Restaurant.”
Do you have any memories of Dudley Zoo you’d like to share? Send your pics and stories to us and we’ll feature them on the site!
Visit Dudley Zoo’s website for more information.

Full Steam Ahead to Discover the Region’s Railway History

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Take a trip back through time to the golden age of railways with Sedgley Local History Society

Sedgley residents can take a fascinating trip back in time to the golden age of the region’s railway network at the next meeting held by Sedgley Local History Society.

The meeting, which takes place on Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 pm in St. Andrew’s Church, Bilston Street, Sedgley, will feature a talk by Keith Hodgkins, vice chairman of Tipton Civic Society and passionate Black Country heritage campaigner.

Keith’s PowerPoint presentation traces the evolution of the main lines and branches with vintage and more recent images recalling the days when the region’s industries were well served by a network bringing in raw materials and leaving with products as diverse as steel bars and sausages.

The evening is sure to delight all train users and everyone interested in the scenery of the highways and byways of track travel.

As usual, visitors are invited to come along.  Individual talks cost £1.

This talk is sponsored by Sedgley Estate Agents, Roden Boydell

Sedgley Residents Invited To Share Memories In The Jubilee Time Capsule

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As the nation looks forward to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations from Saturday, June 2 until Tuesday, June 5, Sedgley residents are being invited to share their memories as part of the Jubilee Time Capsule (JTC), a unique project organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

As part of the initiative, people are invited to upload their pictures and memories from any day in the last 60 years. Although the capsule will contain high-profile events and images that helped shape history, the organisers of the project also want people to come forward with their personal stories too.

It is hoped the JTC will give a fascinating insight into the lives of people all across the globe during the Queen’s reign and provide an invaluable resource for future generations.

Sedgley residents can now become a part of history as they upload their own memorable events, such as birthdays, weddings, previous Jubilee street parties and many more.

Watch the video to find out how to participate, or visit the Jubilee Time Capsule website to read all about this groundbreaking project.