Senior stylist at Christopher Hair, Laura-Jayne Porter, is raising funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer Care
This Saturday, September 24, stylists at a leading Sedgley hair salon will be tickled pink in support of charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer Care, as each member of staff will be wearing the colour all day while collecting donations from customers.
But for Mark Pugh, owner of Christopher Hair in High Street, raising money for this popular charity will be a little more strenuous than wearing a pink T-shirt for a day. Instead, he’ll begin a gruelling 100-mile cycle ride from Wolverhampton to Aberdovey, Wales, to help raise funds.
The journey, which begins at The Westacres pub in Finchfield, promises to be an arduous one. However, with plenty of support from staff, customers, friends and family, it’s one which he’s determined to complete.
“We’re all 100 per cent behind Mark as he prepares for Saturday’s challenge,” says senior stylist Laura-Jayne Porter. “And, although wearing something pink for the day is nowhere near as tiring, we’re happy to be able to support him and Breakthrough Breast Cancer Care as much as possible.”
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a pioneering charity dedicated to the prevention, treatment and ultimate eradication of breast cancer. The charity believes passionately that this disease can be beaten. By fighting on three fronts – research, campaigning and education – it is determined to save and change lives by removing the fear of breast cancer for good.
To find out more information about Mark’s epic journey and to donate, visit the salon’s website or call Christopher Hair on 01902 884 624.
Grandfather of six Colin Clews, who, aged 83, is believed to be the oldest graduate in the UK
Sedgley students have been making headlines this week, with two men in particular proving it’s never too late to learn.
Grandfather of six, Colin Clews, made the news on websites worldwide this week due to him being, at 83 years of age, the University of Wolverhampton’s oldest graduate and possibly the oldest in the UK.
Tony Collins, chief executive of Virgin Trains, was also presented with an honorary degree from the same university’s business school.
For Colin, graduating with a university degree was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream which involved putting his 50-year career in engineering to good use – the complete opposite to most students who go on to a career after studying their chosen subject.
He says: “I was nervous of graduating – I couldn’t imagine myself in a cap and gown.”
The father of three trained as an electrician’s mate during the Second World War before working for 30 years at British Federal Welders in Dudley.
After this, he moved to a company in Birmingham which supplied equipment to carmakers.
“I had the best job in the world, but it was a career being faced with problems and never knowing how to solve them properly,” he explains.
“I would find a solution but always felt I needed to know more. I didn’t have time for a formal education.”
That changed when, after retiring at 65, Colin signed up to an Access to Education course at Dudley College and then dedicated himself to looking after his late wife, Ivy.
He was inspired to study for a degree after seeing one of his grandson’s preparing for exams.
“I found myself looking over my grandson Jamie’s shoulder at some work he was doing for his A-levels and thought I would like to do something like that,” he says.
Colin chose to study mechatronics – a mixture of mechanical and electronic engineering, and graduated with a 2:1 BEng (Hons) degree.
“For the three years, I had a thoroughly good time. It takes over your whole life. You don’t have time for mowing the lawn or painting and decorating,” he jokes.
He is also full of praise for the University of Wolverhampton, adding: “I made a lot of good friends and met a lot of nice people. The tutors were awesomely knowledgeable about their subject and the university itself was first class.”
Chief executive of Virgin Trains Tony Collins received an honorary degree
Another Sedgley resident, chief executive of Virgin Trains, Tony Collins, was awarded a doctor of business administration in recognition of his significant and successful contribution to the railway management and rail passenger service of Virgin Trains.
He says: “I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded this honorary degree. I am a very proud Black Country lad and to receive this from my local university is such an honour.”
Born in Sedgley in 1957, Tony left school at 16 to start an apprenticeship with Rockwell-Thomson, a motor pressing manufacturer in Ettingshall.
After five years of training he became a qualified chartered management accountant, rising to a Fellow of the Institute in 1987.
Throughout his career Tony has held a number of financial positions based at Austin Rover in Longbridge and Yale Fork Lift Trucks in Wednesfield. In 1989 he became financial director at GEC Cannon Industries in Coseley.
In 1993, he moved to train building company, GEC Alstom Metro-Cammell, as financial director before joining Virgin Rail as major contracts director in 1999. Here, he was responsible for introducing the Pendolino and Voyager trains into passenger service and overseeing the upgrade to the West Coast mainline infrastructure.
In 2004, he became chief executive and today, from his Birmingham-based office, has responsibility for Virgin Rail business, which carries 30 million people a year, employs 3,500 people and has a turnover of £900million per annum.
Both men joined thousands of other University of Wolverhampton graduates to collect their scrolls during the graduation ceremonies at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre.
Siana Palmer, left, and Charlotte Jordan, right, are feeling full of beans
Baked beans will definitely be off the menu in future for two members of staff at a popular Sedgley pub.
Because, to raise money for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, Siana Palmer and Charlotte Jordan, who both work at Wetherspoon pub, The Clifton, spent five hours sharing a bathtub full of the tasty tinned dish.
“I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t actually like baked beans,” joked Charlotte, who, along with Siana, took the plunge into tomato sauce at 12 noon on Tuesday, August 30.
Despite their pulse predicament, the two girls spent until 5pm that day happily chatting to customers, friends and family members, while other members of staff brought them ample supplies of chocolates and magazines to make their fundraising feat a little more bearable.
Preparing for the event was tricky, since, unsurprisingly, neither of the two had ever sat in a bathtub full of beans before.
“I was getting ready thinking ‘what on Earth should I wear for this?'” explained Siana, “and, in the end, I decided the most important thing was a pair of socks so my feet didn’t get cold!”
However, despite wearing socks, both girls said the bath, which took 46 2.62 kg tins of baked beans to fill, felt decidedly chilly after five hours spent sitting in it. And, instead of a hot shower, the girls had a cold jet wash to look forward to at the end of their ordeal.
“I figured we’d already be cold, so getting blasted with icy water wouldn’t really make too much difference,” said Charlotte.
The event, which raised £57 in total, was part of a fundraising fortnight held at the pub to raise money for CLIC Sargent.
Organiser Janine Jordan, team leader at The Clifton, said that during their first hour immersed in beans, Charlotte and Siana had already raised £15, while the amount raised through other events at the pub was now more than £1,000.
The fun continues throughout the week, with a variety of other events including a paranormal supper on Wednesday, August 31, from 7pm.
Magician Colin Tighe dazzles youngsters with a card trick
Families at The Clifton were treated to a magical performance this Thursday, August 25, when local illusionist Coling Tighe dropped in to dazzle his audience and raise funds for charity.
The event was part of a fortnight of activities organised at the JD Wetherspoon pub in aid of children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent and proved to be a huge hit with customers of all ages.
“Our last event raised £2,035 for CLIC Sargent, so this year, we’re hoping to do even better,” says Janine Jordan, event organiser and team leader at the popular venue in Sedgley’s Bull Ring.
She adds: “We know people don’t always have a lot of spare cash to donate to charity, so we like to keep them entertained and give them something for their money.”
During Colin’s performance, his young audience looked on in wonder as he produced an impossibly long string of paper from his mouth, produced a colouring book that mysteriously coloured itself in and performed an amazing card trick where his participant’s chosen card was hidden inside an orange.
Sam Davenport, manager at The Clifton, was similarly impressed, saying:
“Colin’s an amazing performer and a huge hit with our customers.”
This event is part of a packed programme of entertainment planned during the charity fortnight, which includes staff sitting in a bath full of baked beans, a silent disco and a paranormal supper night next Wednesday, August 31 at 7pm, where a team of dedicated ghosthunters will investigate the former cinema’s upstairs area.
Once again, the event – which is now in its third year – has been supported by the Sedgley branch of Barclays, who have pledged to match any amount raised.
“The staff at Barclays pop in regularly for coffee,” explains Janine, “and they’re always happy to help raise funds so that CLIC Sargent can continue their excellent work.”
Colin Tighe performing an amazing card trick in the Beacon Hotel
Drinkers in pubs throughout Sedgley are used to people coming round collecting for charity, but one local magician and comedian has come up with a spellbinding method of raising funds to help others.
In order to raise money for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, Colin Tighe is performing a range of baffling card tricks for customers at Sedgley’s Wetherspoon pub, The Clifton, this Thursday, August 25.
And, in preparation for this event, the talented magician and comedian treated regulars at the Beacon Hotel to an impromptu display of trickery on Sunday evening.
Colin, aged 28, has been perfecting card tricks since the age of 16, when a visit to a magic shop in Leamore, Bloxwich, inspired him to take his first foray into the secretive world of illusion.
“I bought £20 of tricks that day, but when I got home and tried them, I couldn’t understand why they didn’t work,” he laughs.
“So, I went back to the shop the following week, where the guy behind the counter showed me how to perfect the tricks – he was a great inspiration to me in those days.”
Over time, Colin’s skills as a magician grew, although his family didn’t always take his hobby seriously.
“I loved watching magicians such as David Copperfield and Lance Burton on TV, but my dad, who wasn’t really into magic, wouldn’t always allow me to – he thought it was a bit silly,” explains Colin.
However, the young illusionist persevered, perfecting his tricks until he felt confident enough to perform them in bars across Wolverhampton.
“I’d go to the shop to buy tricks, then learn them on the bus going back to Sedgley,” he recalls. “Then, I’d go to places such as the Old Still and the Civic to try them out on people.
“I remember going into the Cobra Club and showing the girls who worked there card tricks,” he adds cheekily, “and, there was a really funny time at the Civic, where the doorman searched my pockets and pulled out a bra (for a trick) and a collection of sponge balls!”
Colin, it seems, is never without props for his hilarious and often perplexing magic tricks.
While doing this interview for Sedgleyscene, he shuffles a pack of cards and then asks us to choose one – the king of spades.
He then shuffles the pack once more and pulls out what he thinks is my chosen card. However, when this turns out to be the ace instead, an apparently crestfallen Colin breaks off to answer his mobile phone.
Colin is raising funds for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent
“Don’t laugh – my phone’s a bit old,” he smiles, before pulling a 1970s-style receiver from his bag. After talking to what he claims is the Magic Circle and explaining that the trick has gone wrong, he then hands the receiver to me.
“Of course, there’s no-one there,” he laughs, before asking me to unscrew the mouthpiece. Inside, there is a card, folded up. My card, the king of spades.
It’s an amazing trick and one which defies belief. Sleight of hand, distraction – however it’s explained, this is a dazzling and highly entertaining performance.
“If people like what I’ve done and I’ve connected with them by making them laugh, then it reflects on me as a performer,” explains Colin. “And, with regards to donating money to charity, it makes people much more likely to give.”
He’s not wrong. Colin’s half-hour stint in the Beacon on Sunday netted somewhere in the region of £40 for CLIC Sargent – something he aims to build upon during his afternoon performance on Thursday at The Clifton.
“Janine, the organiser of this event, is always looking at new ways to raise money for charity,” he explains. “So, when she found out I was a magician, she came up with the idea of performing tricks to raise money. I was more than happy to say yes.”
And, dazzling regulars at The Clifton is just the start of Colin’s commitment to charity. Next year, he plans to cycle from Sedgley to Cornwall, demonstrating tricks along the way to raise funds for the Youth Cancer Trust.
It’s clear this affable magician likes nothing better than helping others through performing tricks. And, this connection with his audience is what makes Colin stand out.
“Anyone can perform a magic trick,” he says, “but making it entertaining and leaving a lasting impression is more difficult.”
Colin’s tricks achieve not only that, but through raising money for charity, help leave a lasting impression upon the lives of many others.
Colin’s will be performing magic tricks at The Clifton, Sedgley from 12.30pm until 3pm on Thursday, August 25.
Visit his website to find out more about this hugely talented Sedgley-based magician and comedian.
In recent months, Dudley Metropolitan Council’s bid for city status has been well publicised, with both positive and negative feedback from local residents.
Indeed, despite the council’s insistence that gaining city status will bring much-needed regeneration to the area, a recent poll by Dudley News revealed 72 per cent of its readers are against the proposals.
However, despite this apparent negativity, someone at the council’s press office has seemingly retained their sense of humour and titled the mission statement on their website, www.dudley.gov.uk/, as ‘Dudlay (sic) a city of ambition’.
While it’s not clear at present whether this was an intentional reference to Dudley-born comic
Cheeky reference to local dialect or genuine mistake? Dudley MBC's press release
Lenny Henry or simply a typographical error, one thing’s for certain – the council wants local residents to have their say and is inviting them to do so via its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dudley-borough/156476677705498 tonight (Monday, July 25), from 6pm-7pm.
What are your views on Dudley borough gaining city status and how do you feel it will affect Sedgley? Get in touch with us here at Sedgleyscene and we’ll feature your views.
Alex Marchant, general manager at the Beacon Hotel, Sedgely, with the mysterious beermats
For more than 40 years, this mysterious figure has ‘haunted’ pubs across the Black Country and Staffordshire, leaving only their calling card – an image of American opera singer and actor Mario Lanza drawn on a beermat accompanied by a quote and often signed simply AJW.
But now, bar staff and regulars at the Beacon Hotel, Sedgley, are one step closer to cracking the mystery of this local enigma – they know what he or she likes to eat for breakfast.
Because, along with beermats featuring newspaper clippings of the historic pub’s staff stuck to them, the mystery customer also left one with a receipt attached from Rob Newey Butchers in Kingswinford, listing home-cured streaky bacon as one of the items.
“He or she must have been in the pub around 12.30pm on Friday, July 15 ,” says general manager, Alex Marchant, who was delighted to find several beermats dedicated to her in reference to the pub’s recent Camra award.
“And, when I checked the CCTV later, I saw a figure get up to leave with what looked like a range of beermats on their table.”
But, despite having captured this famous ‘ghost’ on camera, Alex remains tight-lipped as to this individual’s identity.
She jokes: “I’m not telling anyone who he or she really is – especially not a member of the Press!”
The mystery fan of Mario Lanza – a tenor and Hollywood movie star who died in 1959 – has continued to arouse interest since the first beermats were discovered in the early 1970s.
Over the years, this secretive spectre has displayed a keen interest in local news stories, referring at one time to nearby Woolaston as the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ when there was a large rise in numbers of missing pets there.
As well as being the subject of a documentary by professional filmmaker Barney Snow, AJW even has a Facebook page set up in his or her honour, which currently has 159 members.
And, since many beermats now also include reference to this, along with email address, theblobologist@yahoo.co.uk, some local people think it may now be a younger person who has taken up the role of Mario Lanza’s ghostwriter.
But Alex isn’t giving any clues away. “He could be a younger person, he could be older,” she says, before adding with a smile, “but I’m still not telling.”
Have you recently found one of these famous beermats or already own a collection?
Get in touch with us at Sedgleyscene – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
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