What’s on
Christmas lights switch-on events
Brewood
A large lights switch-on event takes place in Brewood this Sunday.
Featuring a Santa’s Grotto, a fun fair, face painting, a tombola, stalls and more, the village event will run from 2.30pm till 7.30pm, with the switch-on taking place at 5pm.
There will also be live music, with local school children singing, followed by a performance by Annie Mae at 5.15pm and The Dirty Rockin’ Scoundrels at 6pm.
The Jubilee Hall bar will be open from 3pm, with all drinks served in plastic glasses.
Bilbrook
Families will flock to a festive event in Bilbrook this evening.
Running from 6pm on Bilbrook Village Green, it will feature a range of stalls, refreshments, Father Christmas, and a fun fair.
The Christmas lights will be switched on by Wolfie.
Don’t forget to bring any letters for Father Christmas!
Bishops Wood
Crowds will be treated to live music at the Bishops Wood Christmas Lights Switch-on event this evening.
The free event at Bishops Wood Village Hall will include mince pies and mulled wine.
Doors open at 6pm, with the switch-on taking place at 7.30pm.
Victorian Christmas Market
Step into a Christmas of a bygone era at the Victorian Christmas Market in Penkridge this weekend.
Taking place on Sunday from 11am to 7pm, the family event will see stallholders dressed in Victorian attire, with more than 100 stalls offering a range of decorations, gifts, crafts and food.
Traditional Victorian carols will also be performed.
Tickets cost £2.50 for adults and children go free. There will also be free car parking.
Click here for more information
Codsall Christmas Fair
Music, street entertainment, a Santa’s Grotto and more will entertain families at Codsall Christmas Fair next week.
| Featuring fairground rides, a bouncy castle, a roundabout and more, the village event – running from 4pm till 8pm – will give little ones the chance to meet Santa, receive a gift and post their Christmas list.
Those attending the event can also enjoy live music from the Lemon Twists, the U3A Ukulele Band, and street entertainment and juggling from Steve Kaos.
A range of hot food will be on offer, in addition to around 60 stalls selling a range of festive goodies.
At 7pm, there will be a traditional Carols around the Christmas Tree with local school choirs accompanied by the Salvation Army Band.
The event takes place on Friday, December 2nd.
For more information, click here |
Council and district news
Five-star rated food outlets
Our Environmental Health team has had the pleasure of awarding a number of food outlets the top rating of five stars for food safety.
The food hygiene rating reflects the standards of food hygiene found on the date of the inspection. The food hygiene rating is not a guide to food quality.
Top five-star ratings went to:
- The Gardeners Retreat Restaurant at Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centre, Bridgnorth Road.
- Kinver Tandoori, High Street, Kinver
- Chartwell Catering at Corbett C of E School, Iverley
Local Plan Review
We are now into our second week of the Publication Plan consultation where we held a face-to-face session at Essington Community Centre running from 10.30am until 7.30pm, with further sessions planned at Codsall and Wombourne.
| The sessions are open to all, and appointments can be made by calling 01902 696423. Officers can explain the process and help residents to prepare their responses.
The first of five online Q&A sessions was also held on Wednesday evening between 6pm and 8pm, focussing on Locality 5 which covers the south of the district including Wombourne, Kinver, Swindon and Lower Penn. The Q&A sessions start with a presentation by officers and participants can then ask questions. Anyone can join to listen in or pose questions to planning officers.
This is the final stage of consultation before the new Local Plan is submitted to the Government and an independent planning inspector is appointed to carry out a public examination into whether it is sound and legally compliant.
The consultation runs for six weeks from Friday, November 11th, until midday on Friday, December 23rd.
The Publication Plan, FAQs and supporting documents can be found here: Local Plan Review Publication Plan South Staffordshire Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)
Details of all consultation events and Q&A sessions are here: Publication Plan Public Engagement South Staffordshire Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)
All comments made to the plan must be made in writing, and during the six-week consultation period. For more information see the council website www.sstaffs.gov.uk/localplanreview or email localplans@sstaffs.gov.uk |
Community Lottery: Boost your potential
Are you a local sports club, school PTA, charity or community group within South Staffordshire looking to boost your fund-raising potential?
If so, you could benefit by getting involved with the South Staffordshire Community Lottery. It’s a fun and effective way for your good cause to raise funds, plus it’s simple, easy, and free join.
Find out more here
Don’t throw it away – take it to the Repair Cafe
A Repair Cafe takes place in Bilbrook on December 10th, where a wide range of goods can be taken for free repairs.
The session, held by Friends of Bilbrook in partnership with the South Staffordshire Council Climate Prize, will take place at Bilbrook Village Hall from 10am till 1pm.
Help on offer includes: minor pushbike repairs, jewellery repairs (not gold or stone setting), minor sewing repairs, IT repairs (software only), and tool sharpening.
There will also be a ‘general repair desk’, where those attending can seek help with changing batteries and gluing items etc.
There will also be the chance to make your own bees wax wraps, Portable Appliance Testing, and security bike marking.
For more information email enquiries@friendsofbilbrook.org or call 07989 423617.
Community is the Best Medicine fund
A fund has been set up to assist households which may be faced with challenging choices due to the rising cost of living.
The scheme is run by South Staffordshire Council, in partnership with the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) and The Staffordshire Community Foundation.
Find out more about the scheme and how to apply via this link
The Hub Café Christmas Carvery
With the festive season almost upon us, Mrs B’s Catering will be hosting a Christmas Carvery in the Hub Café.
It will take place on December 13th, 14th and 15th at 12pm or 1.30pm.
Food on offer includes stuffed turkey breast, sliced roast leg of pork, or cauliflower and chickpea roulade, with a range of festive accompaniments.
A selection of festive desserts are also included.
Each Christmas dinner, complete with trimmings and dessert, cost £17.50 per person. Please book in person at the Hub Café.
Council job vacancies
- Environmental Health Officer (Housing Lead), closing on December 12th.
- Senior Caretaker, closing on November 27th.
- Benefit Assessment Officers, closing on December 9th.
- Cleaning Assistant, open application date.
- Relief Leisure Assistants at Codsall, Wombourne, Penkridge & Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centres, open application date.
- Swimming Instructors, all leisure centres, open application date.
All vacancies info and details how to apply can be found on our website: Current Vacancies South Staffordshire Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)
Leisure latest
Free holiday food and activities for kids
Codsall and Wombourne Leisure Centres will be holding Aspire Active Camps for young people aged 5-14 years old.
Last chance to enjoy leisure savings
Time’s almost up on this great deal!
Join South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres before November 30th and enjoy member access until the end of the year for just £10.
For full details visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/the-goodlife-winter-saver.cfm
Leisure centre Christmas opening times
For Christmas opening times at South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/leisure-centres-opening-times.cfm
Baggeridge Country Park visitor survey
Let us know what you think of Baggeridge Country Park and help us to improve the facilities and services on offer.
By completing this short survey, you can choose to be entered into a draw to win one of two annual parking passes.
Take part in the survey here
Partnership updates
Get boosted
If you’re 50 years or over, have certain health conditions or are pregnant, you should have the flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster.
Many children are also eligible for a free flu nasal spray vaccine.
Find out how to book at nhs.uk/wintervaccinations
Your Community Fund
Midcounties Coop is running a Community Fund, offering grants of £500 to support communities.
Anyone can apply as long as the project is people led and helps to build strong, diverse communities. Those entering will be asked to briefly explain in their application.
You can apply from anywhere in the UK.
Your group has to have been established for three months.
Find out more here
Loan shark warning in run-up to Christmas
Experts have warned that unscrupulous lenders could try to cash in on the festive period as households struggle to cope with rising food, fuel and energy bills.
Loan sharks are targeting vulnerable people seeking credit and trapping them into a cycle of debt with exorbitant interest rates and threats of violence.
Are you worried about a friend or family member who is being taken advantage of by a loan shark?
Contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 for support or visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk for more information.
Live Chat is available on the website between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. |
