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.
Man of the match - Gornal AFC right-back Richard Young
Leek CSOB 0 Gornal Athletic 1 FA Vase First Round Qualifying
A goal by right-back Richard Young halfway through the second half earned
Gornal a win in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Vase.
Coming fast on the back of two tense cup ties against Rugby Town, Gornal were perhaps inevitably flat and struggled to create many meaningful chances against a stubborn and resolute Leek CSOB side.
Without forwards Cameron Morgan and Calum Martin, Gornal boss Ian Rowe opted to install pacy striker Marvin Nisbett in a lone forward role with support from Dave Meese.
Although Gornal dominated possession in the early stages it was the home
side who created the best of the early first half opportunities, although rarely
was the goal put under intense scrutiny as Nisbett struggled to escape the
attentions of his burley defensive minders.
On 16 minutes William Brown fluffed an excellent opportunity to put Leek
ahead when he shot tamely at James Pemberton while unchallenged and 10 minutes later his effort from a free kick flew wide.
The half hour saw Robin Keates clear on the line from James Brough’s
header at a corner and then a shot by Karl Miller dipped and swerved
agonisingly wide.
As the half reached a close Gornal stepped up the play with Matt Weyman
rampaging down the right and finding Matt Martin who shot just wide before
Young tested keeper Robert Hackney on the cusp of the whistle with a 30
yard free kick.
The second half saw Gornal convert more of the possession into chances with Dave Meese wasting a chance on 55 minutes after excellent work by lone ranger Nisbett and Weyman forcing Hackney into action after a superb pass by centre-half Connor Gater.
Gornal’s pressure finally told on 70 minutes when Young found himself on the edge of the penalty area after a Lee Wherton corner was half cleared by the Leek defense and the full-back unleashed a curling shot which gave Hackney no chance.
Seconds later Brett Barlow narrowly avoided turning into his own net after an excellent probing cross by substitute Kristian Green.
Leek never ceased pressing and with four minutes to go Brough had the best chance to equalise when he superbly controlled a deep Daniel Hyde cross and chipped just over the bar from a tight angle.
Gornal now face Studley in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase away
on Saturday, September 24 (ko 3pm).
Leek: Robert Hackney; Jack Morgan (Mark Thornley, 85); Adam Grocott;
Samuel Pettitt; Brett Barlow; James Brough; Oliver Mellor (Jake Bowyer, 74); Daniel Hyde (Captain); William Brown (Mark Fox, 68); Karl Miller; Timothy Barrass. Gornal: James Pemberton; Richard Young; Robin Keates; Connor Gater;
Chris Waterhouse (Captain); Mike Perks; Lee Wherton; Dave Meese; Marvin Nisbett (Jake Morgan, 79); Matt Weyman (Kristian Green, 70); Matt Martin (Danny Ashton, 70).
Ann, chef Mee and his wife, Tar, help create a unique dining experience
It’s not immediately visible from the street and many Sedgley residents don’t know it exists.
Yet, situated at the rear of the Bull’s Head pub, on Bilston Street, is one of Sedgley’s hidden gems and one of the best restaurants in the Black Country.
Mee’s Thai restaurant has only been open for nine months, but, in this short space of time, has built up an excellent reputation among those in the know.
Forget ready-meals and microwaves. This is authentic Thai cuisine, prepared by an expert chef using the finest ingredients.
“When we first opened, we sometimes found it difficult to buy Thai vegetables and other ingredients such as pandan leaves,” says restaurant owner Ann, who, along with chef Mee and John, landlord of the Bull’s Head, has transformed the pub’s former games area into a stylish place to eat and relax.
“Now, however, we get fresh, authentic ingredients delivered to our door.”
And it certainly shows in the cooking. A typical starter, such as Thai mixed platter, is an explosion of colour and taste. Enjoy succulent prawn and chicken toast, king prawn and vegetable spring rolls, chicken wrapped in pandan leaf and chicken satay skewers, all garnished lovingly with expertly carved raw vegetables and salad leaves.
For the main course, choose from a wide range of sizzling stir-fries, delve into the magnificent, lemongrass-infused flavours of a Thai curry (completely different to the Indian or Chinese versions) or plunge into a sumptuous seafood dish.
Sedgleyscene opted for sea bass, cooked to perfection and served with finely chopped red, green and yellow pepper, garlic, coriander, lime and chilli. The aroma was so appealing that a large group of friends drinking in the pub’s bar decided to eat here as well.
Accompanying this fine dish, we also tucked into stir-fried duck with slivers of ginger, sweet and sour chicken in tempura batter and two rice dishes – all were excellent and the best we had sampled in the region.
For dessert, there is a selection of authentic homemade treats to choose from – a refreshing change from the usual array of frozen ice-cream on offer in many other restaurants.
Although feeling somewhat full by this stage, we at Sedgleyscene managed to make room for coconut pancake roll (a delicious confection coloured with pandan leaf) and mhor-keang – Thai custard, baked and served with ice-cream. Both were a suitably lavish way to end a superb meal.
Our fellow diners were similarly impressed, saying that, although they had no idea the Bull’s Head was home to a Thai restaurant, they would definitely be back soon.
And that’s exactly what Ann hopes for too, saying: “We’re dedicated to serving the best in Thai cuisine and making sure our customers are happy and want to come back.”
Sedgleyscene will certainly be coming back and, if you’ve yet to discover this gem of a restaurant, we suggest you make the first of what will doubtless be many visits.
Mee’s Thai is located in the Bull’s Head pub, 27 Bilston Street, Sedgley, DY3 1JA. Call 01902 661676 or visit their website for more details and to view their menus.
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.
The Gornal AFC squad - playing for the love of football
Since November 1950, fans of this renowned local football team have enjoyed action-filled matches, played not for money, but out of love for ‘the beautiful game’.
It’s a feeling of excitement and a sense of passion many fans find lacking in top league matches. And, for Gornal Athletic Football Club’s new chairman Mat Danks, it’s the reason he returned to the team’s Garden Walk ground after an absence of several years.
“When I was a reporter for the Dudley News, I’d regularly attend matches to report on Gornal AFC,” he explains, “but, after leaving the newspaper to run my PR company, I tended to go and see bigger teams such as West Brom instead.
“However,” he continues, “I eventually fell out of love with top league football. Because of all the money involved, going to see a match has become a bit like going to the cinema – people’s expectations are much higher and they demand to be entertained.”
So, disillusioned with big name matches, Mat decided to go and take another look at his local team, Gornal AFC. And, it was a decision that led to some surprising developments.
Gornal AFC's new chairman, Mat Danks
“I began getting involved with the club and, before I knew it, was asked if I’d like to become chairman,” he explains. “They’d already got a great set of people and a fantastic manager, former Gornal striker Ian Rowe. I think they just needed someone with a business brain to build on this already excellent team.”
It’s a partnership that certainly seems to be paying off – this Saturday sees Gornal play Shifnal Town FC in the FA Cup preliminary round.
“We’ve got exceptional players and a strong squad,” says Mat. “Only one team goes up and we want to be that team.”
Saturday’s match promises to be a thrilling one but, according to Mat, fans can always expect plenty of action at any Gornal game.
He says: “You’re watching blokes who play for the love of the game. Although local, non-league clubs don’t enjoy the financial rewards of bigger teams, that doesn’t mean the excitement on the pitch is any less. In fact, very rarely will you see as much action as during one of our matches.”
Mat’s enthusiasm is infectious – something borne out by the way Gornal AFC is now attracting more and more fans through the club’s active use of social networking site Twitter.
“Social media is really helping us build bridges with teams all over the country,” he explains. “Using Twitter, we’ve developed links with Glaswegian Saturday morning side Tally Vic, for example. It’s opening doors and helping us connect with many new fans.”
And among Gornal’s ever-growing legion of supporters are the lads from Sedgley indie rock band, The Lines, who can also count Mat as one of their biggest fans.
He says: “I’ve seen them play about 50 times, all over the UK and abroad. They’re a superb band, a top bunch of lads and it’s great to know they support our team.”
Join the ranks of Gornal AFC’s many supporters for the all-important FA Cup match this Saturday, August 20. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The award-winning team is looking for enthusiastic new players
An established local under-14s football team is calling for youngsters across the Black Country to put their best feet forward and join the squad for the new season.
Having won both league and cup trophies last season, Gornal Girls FC wants to build on this success when the season begins in September.
“However, to achieve this, we need enthusiastic local team members who are free to attend training once a week,” says under-14s team organiser, Craig Whittingham.
“We find that, while Gornal Boys FC has no trouble getting new recruits, the girls are often not so keen to come forward. That’s why we’re calling out for local lasses who love football to get involved and join a great team.”
Players are coached by an FA-qualified and CRB-checked coach with a valid first-aid qualification.
Training sessions at this charter standard club usually take place on Thursdays from 6pm, with matches played on Saturday mornings at Pensnett School.
Players, once signed, receive a full strip in addition to other training wear. To qualify, members will need to be in years eight or nine from this September.
Contact Craig on 0785719219 or visit the club’s websitefor more information.
They’ve sold out the 1,134 capacity Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton, performed at the famous SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas and played to 80,000 people at Donington Park.
From performing to a handful of people when they first formed in 2006, Sedgley-based indie rockers, The Lines, have certainly come a long way.
However, lead singer, Alex Ohm and his bandmates are always happy to return to their home town and swap touring for a tipple or two in their favourite local, the Beacon Hotel.
“Our most recent gig in Sheffield was crazy,” says Alex, unwinding with a cider in the beer garden of this historic hostelry.
“The venue’s capacity was 120, but there were easily around 150 people in there. It was ridiculously hot, but the atmosphere was fantastic. Chaotic, but great.”
Like many up-and-coming bands, Alex, lead guitarist Dean Bate, Dave “Paddy” O’Connor on drums and Danny Pease on bass, find themselves playing tiny venues one night and stadium gigs the next.
“I don’t know how we got the Donington gig,” laughs Alex. “We though we were only playing for about 100 people but soon realised the crowd was way larger than that.”
“We just looked at each other and thought ‘we’d better play well tonight’ ” elaborates Dean, himself nursing a pint of the pub’s own Sedgley Surprise ale.
Playing to such a huge crowd is not the only nerve-wracking experience the band members have had to endure. During a tour of the States, the boys found themselves performing to some of the music industry’s biggest names at an event in New York, but were pleased to have the support of bands they’d met while in Texas.
Alex explains: “Performing in New York was quite a daunting experience, but it was great that some of the bands we’d met at SXSW turned up. People often say they’ll come to your gig and don’t show – but these guys did!”
Playing America was an amazing experience for the band, but it was a trip that very nearly didn’t happen due to drummer Paddy’s penchant for streaking.
“It was something that happened years ago,” laughs Dean, “but, because he received a caution for his antics, Paddy had to before the officials and explain his actions. Ironically, he had a choice at the time between paying £60 or getting a caution. After all the extra money he spent getting a Visa, he’d have been better off just paying the fine in the first place!”
Now, having signed to indie label Amboy Road Records and with a huge roster of gigs under their belts, it seems major success is just around the corner for The Lines.
Not that it’s all been plain sailing for the lads. As well as original members Ryan Edwards and Chris Titley leaving the band in 2008, Alex and Co also had to contend with their original label going bust.
“It was a turbulent time,” says Alex. “When Chris left, we knew we wanted to continue, but we weren’t sure who’d replace him. Then, we thought of Danny – the only guy we knew who could fill his shoes. We weren’t disappointed – in just one week, he’d learned more than 70 songs!”
“In fact,” jokes Dean, “I think we made more mistakes than he did!”
So, with a strong team spirit once more and a record deal which gives them all the freedom they need to make music, what does the future hold for The Lines? After all, they’ll shortly be working on the dreaded ‘difficult second album’, following on from the huge local success of their debut.
“Everyday life is up and down and I think our music should reflect that,” explains Alex. “So, on the new album, there’ll be some dancier stuff mixed in with the slower songs. We’ve got one that starts off with a piano riff then evolves into this huge, Muse-style epic.”
Exciting times ahead then, which could include the band breaking into the lucrative American market. However, Alex, Dean and the rest of the gang are determined to keep their feet firmly on the ground by enjoying their favourite beers in Sedgley and showing their support for Gornal Athletic Football Club.
“I think it’s important to support local teams,” explains Alex. “In fact, they want us to record a track for when they come out onto the pitch.”
As well as the support from local football teams, Alex and Dean both agree that the support from other local bands has been a refreshing change from the intense competition between musicians normally reported in the media.
“Sedgley, Wolverhampton, the rest of the Black Country and Birmingham – everyone’s in it together,” says Alex.
He’s right. The Lines have built a huge loyal local following thanks to their exhilarating gigs and down-to-earth attitude.
It won’t be too long before the rest of the world follows suit.
Sedgleyscene 