Easter eggs-travaganza at Dudley Zoo

christoff3000, , , Leave a comment
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.

Sedgley student makes a clean sweep at Dudley Zoo

christoff3000, , , , , Leave a comment
Dudley College Animal Management student, Kelly Fillingham, aged 18, from Sedgley helps DZG trainee keeper Alex Randle clean out the Barberry sheep enclosure.

Sedgley student Kelly Fillingham is among those making a clean sweep at Dudley Zoo (DZG), thanks to a new partnership with Dudley College which is proving a hands-on success for Animal Care and Management students.

Throughout a six month period, 68 students including Kelly, spent four-week placements working alongside  Dudley Zoo keepers and Education staff in a project believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Students’ mornings are spent cleaning enclosures, preparing food and learning what it takes to be a zookeeper. Afternoons are spent in theory sessions, with Presenter Becky Iwahashi in the Discovery Centre education block, covering enclosure design, nutrition and diet, and enrichment.
Animal Care training and handling mammals, reptiles and invertebrates is also covered and students rotate sections, working on Farm, Birds, Ungulates, Primates and Education.
Becky says: “Some students also had the chance to participate in our daily talks programme, giving them confidence in their public speaking skills and another high point was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity helping Bird staff hand rear highly endangered baby Humboldt penguins!”

Success

DZG  CEO Peter Suddock, adds: “The DZG / Dudley College placement scheme is the only programme in the country between a zoo and neighbouring college running Animal Care and Management courses and has proved a big success in its first year.
“The placements offer an insight into the management of a leading modern animal collection and have been extremely rewarding for the majority of students – many now wish to become zookeepers themselves one day – and the physical experience has offered an accurate view of zookeeping.
“Students are also able to take advantage of the chance to ask keepers about the collection, and receive invaluable advice on how to achieve their dream job of working with animals.”

Phobia

Animal Care student Gary Hardyman, 16, of West Bromwich, says: “Working at DZG brings learning to life, and I’ve even managed to overcome my phobia of spiders after handling some of the zoo’s really big ones! No day is the same – how good is that?”
Twenty-one-year-old Sam Miller, of Dudley, adds: “I love the days at the zoo and have finally found what I want to do. I wasn’t expecting to work with such a range of animals, and getting this amount of experience really helps to build your confidence.”
Twenty four students took part in the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care with 44 students on the BTEC Level 3 extended diploma in Animal Management.
Check up on the latest updates at DZG by visiting  www.dudleyzoo.org.uk

Keeper continues family tradition at Dudley Zoo

christoff3000, , , , , Leave a comment
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

christoff3000, , 2 Comments
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

Gornal Girl Lands Dream Job at Dudley Zoo

christoff3000, , Leave a comment
DZG trainee keeper Hannah Follows with Senior Keeper, and mentor, Laura Robbins and African spurred tortoises.

Animal crazy teenager Hannah Follows has scooped her dream job at Dudley Zoological Gardens (DZG).

The 16-year-old, from Gornal, who adopted her favourite species at DZG when she was still at primary school, completed both Little Keeper and Adult Keeper for a Day experiences and also did work experience two years ago, is now the site’s youngest apprentice keeper.
Hannah said: “My job is really amazing, I love it. The best bit is when animals start to trust you, and learning to trust them so you can get nearer for cleaning and feeding.”
It’s a well-trodden apprentice route as former Ellowes Hall School pupil Hannah follows in the footsteps of fellow keeper, 23-year-old Laura Robbins, whose career path is almost identical.

Mentoring

Laura started working at the zoo on her sixteenth birthday after several years of adopting and volunteering on site and is now using her seven years’ experience to mentor Hannah.
Laura said: “Hannah is doing really well; when I first saw her she looked familiar, but I couldn’t think why – then I remembered she had helped me with the alpacas during her first adult Keeper For a Day experience when she was just 14.
“She’s really enthusiastic about the job and we wish her well and will all be on hand to help her throughout her training.”
For more information, check out the daily updates in the Latest ZooNooz at  www.dudleyzoo.org.uk

Former Dormston School Pupil Kim is Cutting it in Style

christoff3000, , , , , Leave a comment
New senior stylist at HeadRUSH and former Dormston School pupil Kim Southall

A former Sedgley school pupil has proved she can cut it by joining the team at a successful independent Dudley hair salon which is approaching its 10th birthday in style.

Kim Southall, who attended Dormston School, has joined the six-strong team as a senior stylist at HeadRUSH in Wolverhampton Street, after the salon’s commitment to cutting-edge styling helped it beat off the challenge of national hairdressing chains.

The salon has enjoyed a great start to 2012 after a concerted social media drive through Facebook and Twitter helped it attract more than 50 new customers.

Founded by Samantha Bradley, the unisex hair salon is also looking to mark its 10th year in business by raising money for Acorns Children Charity through special promotional days and a range of hairdressing challenges.

Visit the HeadRUSH Facebook page or call 01384 232 432 to book an appointment.

 

Appeal for Witnesses After Robbery at Sedgley Petrol Station

christoff3000, , , Leave a comment
The Total Garage on Sedgley Road, Woodsetton

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at a busy Sedgley petrol station yesterday morning, Monday February 20.

Two men, travelling on a scrambler motorbike, pulled up at the Total garage on Sedgley Road, Woodsetton at around 9.30am and demanded a cash box from the cash in transit delivery driver.

They tried to force open the door of the van and caused an injury to the staff member’s foot as he tried to secure the vehicle.

The offender then smashed the side window of the van with a hammer before grabbing hold of the cash box. The robbers then left the scene on the motorbike.

They headed away from the scene, along Bramford Drive.

Determined

Detective sergeant Mick Greenland, from Force CID, said: “This was a determined and nasty attack on the cash delivery driver as he made his morning call at the Total Garage.

“Sedgley Road is usually fairly busy with commuters and school traffic and we are sure people will have been in the area and seen these men either arriving at the petrol station before the robbery, or making their getaway. Some witnesses have described seeing red smoke coming from the cash box as the offenders drove off.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us at their earliest convenience.”

Both offenders were described as white men, wearing balaclavas and dark clothing. They escaped on a black scrambler motorbike.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Force CID at Smethwick police station on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Sedgley Residents Invited To Share Memories In The Jubilee Time Capsule

christoff3000, , , Leave a comment

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.

Add Your Name to our Townsend Avenue Petition

christoff3000, , , Leave a comment

Following on from a recent article highlighting the unpopular parking charges introduced at Townsend Avenue, Sedgleyscene – in conjunction with Sedgley Traders’ Association – has launched an online petition so local residents can have their say.

Not only have shoppers in Sedgley abandoned the once full car park in their droves, the pay and display machines and camera towers have also been the target for repeated vandalism, creating an eyesore for anyone walking through the village.

Residents in nearby Townsend Avenue have also complained of a huge increase in the amount of motorists parking in front of their houses, creating misery and inconvenience for everyone who lives there.

Now, Sedgleyscene is encouraging local residents angered by what many feel are excessive parking charges, to sign the petition and/or write to the companies involved expressing their concern.

Click here to sign our petition or write to the companies involved at the addresses below:

KUC Properties Limited
42 St Andrew Square
Edinburgh
EH2 2YE

Ceil Properties Limited
45 Summer Row
Birmingham
B3 1JJ

 

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations set to sparkle in Sedgley

christoff3000, , , , Leave a comment
Dudley Council is encouraging Sedgley residents to get into the party spirit

Dudley Council is encouraging Sedgley residents to join in the celebrations and host a street party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this June.

And, to make sure it’s a day to remember, the council is joining in the spirit and waiving the standard legal fee required to close the road when people host a street party on Sunday 3 or Monday 4 June.

Any street can host a party except those on major traffic or bus routes. The parties are best suited to quieter roads, side streets or cul-de-sacs.

Residents wishing to host a party need to get the agreement of everyone on their street and are recommended to set up their own committee to make the arrangements.

Communities

They must put barriers in place and nominate their own stewards to staff the barriers. These must be stewarded at all times and a rota system in advised to allow everyone to join in the fun. It is also recommended that communities take out public liability insurance.

Councillor Patrick Harley, cabinet member for transportation, says:

“There were 14 street parties held in the borough for the Royal Wedding last year, showing just how keen local people are to join in these special celebrations.

“I’m glad we’ve been able to waive the legal fee for road closures again and I hope that it encourages even more local people to celebrate this summer.”

For more information or to apply for a street party road closure call 01384 815453. You can also apply online at www.dudley.gov.uk and searching under online forms for ‘street party’.

The council will be hosting a range of Diamond Jubilee events and activities and will be confirming these later in the year.