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.
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.”
Sedgley residents can shine a light into an age before low-energy lightbulbs and fused plugs when they attend another fascinating talk from Sedley Local History Society.
The next meeting of the Society takes place on Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 pm in St. Andrew’s Church, Bilston Street, Sedgley
After a short Annual General Meeting, there will be a talk, called Lighting up the Past, where John Hughes, a retired installation inspector with the Midland Electricity Board and stalwart of the Black Country Memories Club, will be reminiscing about the days when valves and fuse wire were an essential part of the electricity supply in many homes.
Illuminating History
John is an avid collector of old electrical equipment and period photographs and will be displaying some illuminating relics of electrical technology from years gone by.
As usual, visitors are invited to come along. Individual talks cost £1. Visit the society’s website for more information.
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 onSaturday, 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.
Sedgley Beacon Tower was constructed in 1846 and used to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee
It stands at 777 ft above sea level and, in 1887, was used to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Since being built in 1846, Sedgley Beacon has been an instantly recognisable feature of the town and holds an iconic place in Black Country history.
Now, with Queen Elizabeth about to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee after 60 years on the throne, a group of Sedgley residents is working hard to restore this majestic Grade 2 listed monument back to its former glory.
After a lot of hard work and perseverance the group, known as Friends of Sedgley Beacon, is working closely with Dudley Council conservation and preservation officers and other departments.
Members have also enlisted the help of local police in setting up action plans so they can apply for funding to get Sedgley Beacon and the Grade 2 listed tower which sits on the highest point of the beacon restored and protected for future generations to enjoy.
Friends of Sedgley Beacon is also in the process of having a gate fitted to the entrance to the beacon on the Sedgley to Wolverhampton Road to stop off- road bikes and vehicles gaining access and causing damage. Once this is completed, the group can then start all the other work its members feel is so urgently needed.
Outstanding
Group spokesman, Tony Cowell, says: “Sedgley Beacon is an area of outstanding natural beauty in urban surroundings with fantastic views to the east and west.
“To the east, you can see areas of manufacturing going out to Lichfield, Cannock, West Bromwich and Birmingham – the next highest point to the east is the Ural Mountains in Russia!
“To the west, there are vast areas of countryside including the Malvern Hills, The Wrekin and the Welsh Mountains. In fact, it has been suggested that on a good clear day from the highest point of the beacon, you can see the Bristol Channel.”
Amazing views of the surrounding countryside can be seen from the top of Sedgley Beacon.
There is a quarry on the beacon which supports Limestone grassland – of extreme rarity in this region – with rare plants including greater knapweed, carline thistle and quaking grass.
There are also many different kinds of butterflies in the summer which are beautiful to see on a stroll across the beacon.
For budding archaeologists, a wide variety of fossils can also be found at the quarry.
Neglect
However, despite being such an asset to anyone in the Black Country, the years have sadly not been kind to Sedgley Beacon.
Tony explains: “Both the beacon and tower are in a very bad state of neglect. This has gone on for years – despite the hard work and dedication put in by The Beacon Hill Tenants and Residents Association who have worked tirelessly over the last 14 years to get this done.
“The tower needs an immense amount of work both inside and out, from top to bottom, along with the immediate surrounding area which is part of the tower itself. Due to neglect, it is going to take longer and cost more to complete this project, but our group is dedicated to getting this done.”
The tower, which is built of Gornal Stone, stands 50ft high and is 7 ft in diameter. Reputedly, it was constructed for Lord Wrottesley of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton – a keen amateur astronomer.
However, other sources suggest it may have been built as a folly by a local landowner known as Mr. Petit.
Action
Tony adds: “Once the action plan is complete, we can start applying for funding from the Lottery and other organisations. Then, we can start getting the beacon and tower looking good again, so people can go and visit and appreciate what we all have on our doorstep.
“Our group would appreciate any support and backing from anyone who is interested in our project and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped us so far.”
Friends of Sedgley Beacon works closely with the Queen Victoria Centre in Dudley and holds all of its meetings there.
For more information, visit the group’s website or its Facebook page or call 01384817490.
For centuries, the tranquil surroundings of Turls Hill Bridleway have provided pleasure for countless numbers of Sedgley residents. Recently, however, a new information sign put up along this idyllic thoroughfare has been ruined by vandals, angering local residents who fear the historic footpath is also attracting anti-social behaviour.
In 2009, The Woodsetton Charitable Trust secured funding of more than £90,000 to restore the bridleway to its former glory. The sign, the latest addition to a wide range of improvements along the historic path, was intended to inform visitors and local residents about the fascinating history of Turls Hill Bridleway, which it is believed dates back to the 17th century. Yet, less than a week after being installed, this useful source of information has been defaced with graffiti and has had its glass smashed.
Jacqui Prosser is one of many dog-walkers who regularly use the bridleway and was shocked at her recent discovery. She says: “The sign was only erected last week. Imagine my shock and disgust when I walked my dogs up through the woods yesterday to find that it has been totally wrecked!
Shocked
“Some mindless idiots have smashed the glass and sprayed graffiti all over it – you can hardly read the map now as there’s black spray paint all over it. I’m not sure who was responsible for putting the sign up but, as a local resident who walks up through the wood most days, I thought it was a great idea – it’s nice for the locals and ‘tourists’ to learn a bit about the history of the area.
“I’m well aware that this part of Sedgley has more than its fair share of anti-social behaviour and on many occasions, while out walking my two dogs, I’ve come across gangs of youths up to no good. But, I was truly shocked by this wanton vandalism.”
Jacqui has emailed Dudley Council about the damage, but is angry and saddened by what appears to be a senseless attack on a local beauty spot.
She adds: “It’s such a shame this has happened, as Turls Hill Bridleway is such a picturesque part of Sedgley.”
What are your views on Turls Hill Bridleway? Is anti-social behaviour in this area getting worse? Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
Two men have today been sent to prison for causing the death of two men in a collision in Sedgley last year.
Michael Allen aged 22 from Dudley was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court to nine and a half years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 12 years.
Simon Skidmore aged 25 from Sedgley was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 10 years.
The pair were arrested after a collision on Tipton Road, near to the junction with Setton Drive, on 8 April 2011.
A Honda Civic car collided with traffic lights and a wall at around 10.15pm. Two passengers in the Honda, Tim Morris, aged 22, and Daniel Eales 24, both from Gornal, died shortly after the incident.
An 18-year-old woman, also travelling in the vehicle, suffered minor injuries.
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