Missing Sedgley man Lee Whickett has been missing from his Woodsetton home since Monday, August 20.
Dudley Police have today issued an appeal to help find the whereabouts of Sedgley man, Lee Whickett, who went missing from his Woodsetton home on Monday, August 20.
The 27-year-old was last seen on George Road and, despite police inquiries, has not yet been traced.
Lee is described as white, around 5ft 4ins tall and of slim build with shaved dark brown hair.
He was last seen wearing a dark blue flat cap, a grey hooded top with green writing, blue jeans and black trainers.
Inspector Simon Bradbury, from Brierley Hill police station, said: “We know that Lee has had a difficult time of late because of personal issues and his family are extremely concerned about him.
“They just want to know he’s safe and are urging him to contact police or return home. “There are some suggestions that Lee may have gone to Dudley town on Monday and so I would ask people who were in the area to think back about whether they may have seen someone matching this description.”
Anyone with information about Lee’s whereabouts should call Dudley Police on 101.
Sedgley residents and visitors from across the UK can get ready for lift-off with the launch of the much-loved chairlift at Dudley Zoological Gardens this Friday, August 24.
The official ceremony, which will be carried out by BBC Radio WM presenter Jenny Wilkes, follows a three-month £117,000 Heritage Lottery-funded refurbishment of the country’s only vintage chairlift.
Work included a full refurbishment of the 41 chairs and roller system which carries the cable, plus an overhaul of the engine – a British-made DC which is electrically-driven with a reduction gearbox. The chairlift was last operated in 2002.
Dudley Zoo CEO, Peter Suddock, says: “We are so thrilled this is happening. One of the most common questions we are asked by national and overseas visitors is: ‘When’s the chairlift going to be running?’ so we are very well aware the refurbishment will create lots of interest.”
Finance for the project is via a £1.2million bid for Heritage Lottery Funding, which will also see the restoration of four of the site’s 12 listed Modernist structures which form part of the world’s largest single collection of Tecton buildings designed by renowned architect Berthold Lubetkin.
Mr Suddock adds: “It’s 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 which will go on public display.There will also be additions to the animal collection and, of course, the chairlift will be restored, so there’s a lot to celebrate.”
Chairlift Was First Passenger-carrying Aerial Ropeway In England
The chairlift at Dudley Zoo was the first passenger-carrying aerial ropeway to be installed in England. It transports visitors from the zoo’s lower zone to the 11th century Dudley Castle on the upper level within a two-minute journey offering panoramic views across Sandwell to Birmingham, before travelling directly over flamingos and rare breeds of sheep grazing on the banks.
Mr Suddock says: “We have all the original drawings and, despite its age, the changes to the chairlift mainly centre on cosmetic refurbishment where it has suffered exposure to the elements and some slight modifications to the T-bars on the chairs. It’s a fantastic piece of machinery and a tribute to 1950’s engineering techniques.”
The chairlift opened to DZG’s visitors on May 11, 1958 and within six months had carried more than 154,000 passengers – approximately one third of persons visiting the zoo during that period.
Mr Suddock adds: “Early passengers paid sixpence for their journey, but 2012 travellers will be able to use the facility for free.”
Visit the Dudley Zoo website for more information on the exciting refurbishment of this 1950s chairlift.
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.
Murder victim Shane Watson of Monument Lane, Sedgley
When Shane Watson died from head injuries following a vicious assault in an alleyway near the Beacon Estate last month, it sent shockwaves through Sedgley.
Now, local residents are invited to come along and show their support for Shane’s family and friends at a special family fun day held in honour of the popular 23 year old.
The event, which is to be held at The Crown public house in Wolverhampton Road, Sedgley, on Saturday, September 1, promises to be an emotional affair. However, according to organiser Cheryl-ann Stanley, it will also be a fitting occasion to remember Shane, whose family and friends say always lived life to the full.
Everyone is welcome to come along from 12 noon until 5pm and celebrate Shane’s life. Pay and display parking is available for motorists at the top of Bilston Street next to the Queen Victoria school and there are regular bus routes to Sedgley from Wolverhampton and Bilston.
Police are still appealing for witnesses who were in Monty’s Bar on the night Shane died to come forward with any information.
Shylon Wishart, 19, of North Springfield, and James Cartwright, 18, of Sandyfields Road, both from Sedgley, were charged with Shane’s murder soon afterwards and a trial date has been provisionally set for April next year.
More than 2,000 people have now signed a petition calling for the alleyway where Shane was brutally attacked to be closed. A recent Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting at Dormston School was attended by almost 100 people, who came forward with numerous suggestions on how to improve safety in this and other thoroughfares in Sedgley.
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.
Murder victim Shane Watson of Monument Lane, Sedgley
The brutal murder of Shane Watson sent shockwaves through the communities of Sedgley when the tragic news was announced recently.
After enjoying a night out at Monty’s Wine Bar, the 23-year-old former Dormston School pupil was on his way home to Monument Lane when he was
viciously attacked in the alleyway leading off Springfield Grove, leaving him with serious head injuries from which he later died in hospital.
Shylon Wishart, 19, of North Springfield, and James Cartwright, 18, of Sandyfields Road, both from Sedgley, were charged with Shane’s murder soon afterwards and a trial date has been provisionally set for April next year.
Residents living near the alleyway say the thoroughfare has long been a magnet for drug dealers and anti-social behaviour and, at last night’s Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting at Dormston School, it was revealed more than 2,ooo people have signed a petition calling for it to be closed.
At the meeting, which was attended by almost 100 people including Shane’s friends and relatives and local councillors, it was claimed that reports and complaints about the alleyway had been ignored for years. In addition to calls for its closure, residents suggested alternatives including CCTV, improved lighting and installing gates.
Numerous opinions were expressed as to whether closing the alleyway would be the best option and several residents expressed concerns regarding health and safety if this were to happen.
Sergeant Rob Simpson of West Midlands Police said he believed several other alleyways in Sedgley were also a problem and that numerous complaints were pending on these. Detectives are still appealing to clubbers who were in Monty’s Wine Bar the night Shane died to come forward with any information which could shed light on events.
The meeting ended with the promise of a consultation with police and local councillors, although a date for this has yet to be set.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included concerns regarding a stalker at the Queen Vic School and a community group has been set up by concerned mothers to highlight this issue. Another local resident appealed for support with the work she is carrying out at the youth centre near Dormston School.
Ben Rollison, aged 15, was last sighted in Dudley Street, Sedgley
Sedgley residents are being urged to come forward with any information regarding missing Russells Hall teenager, Ben Rollison, who was last seen on Dudley Street in the village on Saturday, July 7.
Dudley Police say Ben, aged 15, has been missing for almost three weeks and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen him.
He was last seen at 9am on Tuesday, July 3 at his home in the Russells Hall area of Dudley and police say he has gone missing several times before but has always returned.
He was last sighted on Dudley Street in Sedgley on Saturday, July 7 – four days after he disappeared.
Extensive Enquiries To Find Ben Rollison
Despite extensive inquiries, officers are yet to find the teen.
Inspector Simon Bradbury from Brierley Hill police station, says: “Ben has been missing for some time now and we’re growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.
“He has been missing before but this is the longest he has ever been away from home.
“We’ve already done lots to try and find him and there have been a couple of sightings but we just want to know that he is safe and well. It really is time he went home.”
Ben is described as white, 5’4″ tall and of medium build. He has short brown hair and blue eyes. He speaks with a local accent.
At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a yellow t-shirt, black jacket and dark trainers.
Anyone who has seen Ben over the past two weeks or knows where he currently is should call police straight away on 101.
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.
After years of neglect, the iconic Sedgley house where Black Country nail and chainmaker Eliza Tinsley lived in the 19th century is finally to be rescued from dereliction. Developers DP Kelly Holdings Ltd of Sheffield began work on 4th June by demolishing recent commercial extensions to the historic property, which is on the junction of Catholic Lane and Dudley Road.
Under plans approved by Dudley Council Planning Department in July 2011, the core of the old house will be retained and turned into four large flats, while a new extension containing four smaller apartments is to be added on the Catholic Lane frontage. Two detached houses will also be built, one on each side of the development.
The Limes
Eliza and her husband Thomas had the impressive home, called The Limes, built for them in the 1840s and she lived there till her death in 1881. During the Second World War, the central tower was used by fire watchers to spot incendiary bombs and it was also HQ for Gornal and Sedgley’s ARP wardens. Until 1966 the main building provided office accommodation for Sedgley Urban District Council before being sold by Dudley Council in 1970. It has had several occupants since, the last being ‘BaaN’ software developers, part of Invensys computer group.
Planning consent for 18 flats was granted to another developer in May 2007, but never implemented. Over the last few years, local residents watched in dismay as the historic building, bordered by unsightly graffiti-covered hoardings, sustained attacks by lead thieves, vandals and even arsonists.
Martin Jones, who ran the recent Sedgley Diamond Jubilee exhibition said: “The state into which The Limes has fallen is scandalous. The village lost nearly all its elegant grand houses in the 1960s to short-sighted, unsympathetic development, so I really hope The Limes and its rich Black Country heritage will be sensitively preserved.”
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.
Sedgleyscene 