BCC do whats on that weekend

[peterd]

well the president steaming up

http://www.bclm.co.uk/events/president-in-steam/413.htm



black country museum has a car rally on

http://www.bclm.co.uk/events/festival-o ... cles/1.htm


any more ideas ?

[MarkCDodd]

Always fancied a Jensen Interceptor. Some of the AJS motorcycles were pretty cool as well.

[Northern Lass]

Lots of pubs to frequent!

[Jimmy]

I drove an automatic Jenson once in the 70's for my old boss, to fast for me.

[grangers14]

A good few of us there for a meet
All sorted and looking forward to it.
See you all soon.
Jo

[mjay]

St. John's church Kate's Hill
St John's Church historic building 173 years old on 27th July - Party on the Car Park

[mjay]

St Marks church Tipton
The locals are getting together again this weekend, to tidy up grounds and around graves, been left in a terrible state.
Believe there was an article in The Express & Star

[peterd]

St Marks church Tipton
The locals are getting together again this weekend, to tidy up grounds and around graves, been left in a terrible state.
Believe there was an article in The Express & Star

it wasnt to bad when i was there a couple of years ago might be nice if someone does go if the church is open to get some pic inside ?

[peterd]

St. John's church Kate's Hill
St John's Church historic building 173 years old on 27th July - Party on the Car Park

are they any futher forward with the restoration ?

[mjay]

This is copy of email sent out this week from church bit lengthy


PLEASE DO PASS THIS E-NEW TO OTHERS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED

CONTENTS

1. Update on the lease application for the St John's Church Building
2. St John's Church historic building 173 years old on 27th July - Party on the Car Park - come along and bring friends
3. The Fun Day in the Parish Hall on 20th July - disclaimer
4. Volunteer Church Patrols needed
5. Fund raising items

1. LEASE UPDATE

We had a meeting on 10th July with a representative from the Church Commissioners and two representatives from The Diocese of Worcester.

A number of further issues were highlighted which need to be addressed.
We supplied a further detailed submission following the meeting.

The representatives from the Diocese and Church Commissioners expressed a keenness to get matters finalised quickly and our meeting with them was friendly and constructive. We remain grateful for the assistance we have received from the Diocese of Worcester during this long and complex process.

2. PARTY ON THE CAR PARK - THE HISTORIC ST JOHN'S IS 173 YEARS OLD THIS WEEK

St John the Evangelist Church was opened on 27th July 1840 (along with sister church St James, Eve Hill).
We're inviting you to join us for a get together on Saturday 27th July, anytime from 3-8pm on the old St John's School car park (it was the playground, of course) next door to St John's.
Bring your own drink, plus folding chairs (gazebos also welcome subject to space)
Entertainment including a fun quiz (test your knowledge of Dudley!)
Barbecue, samosas, cake, tea, coffee, or bring your own picnic
Toys for the children to play with
Prize every time tombola
Bottle tombola
Stalls including local charities
Chill 'n chat
We will move indoors if it rains
Bring friends!

3. EVENT IN THE PARISH HALL ON SATURDAY 20TH JULY

There was an event in the Parish Hall on 20th July organised by a local evangelical church. The flyer for this event stated that the event was in St John's Church and we received extensive feedback both before and after the event that people had thought this was an event inside the historic church building, especially as the leaflet did not state who was behind the event. This was of course very exciting for the local community. The attendance was in the hundreds (we set up outside our drop in and saw over 200 people). The feedback is still coming in that people had thought it was a Preservation Group event in the historic building (a number of retired ex servicemen attended). We have expressed our dismay at the way the event was promoted and we have used social media to try to inform people to look for our logo on any leaflets or posters. If our logo is not shown, it is not our event.

The event does however highlight two issues:
Events in the historic St John's Church look likely to be well supported - they did at least provide us with the evidence for that
We may need to consider a change of name for the historic St John's church building, to ensure there is a very clear and distinct difference between the St John's congregation who moved into the Parish Hall (now called the St John's Worship Centre) and is the Anglican Parish Church, and the new project which we hope to start soon in the historic building
A possible name for consideration is 'The Historic St John's Church Christian, Community and Heritage Centre'. We'd like to know what you think - and any other suggestions - please message us.

4. VOLUNTEER CHURCH PATROLS NEEDED

Regrettably the historic St John's church lychgate and churchyard (not the building) have been subject to vandalism recently. This is tragic, not only for the damage but also the image of the local area, as most of the people locally are decent, hard working, law abiding citizens.

As a result of this vandalism we are asking local volunteers to help us keep watch and we are asking people to make a commitment of two hours a month to assist with this.

The volunteers will receive training and will:
1. Work in pairs in two hour slots
2. Have cameras to photograph any incidents or suspicious incidents. Technology will be used to provide the maximum evidence for the police.
3. Will liaise closely with the local police who do already patrol regularly but cannot possibly be there all the time
4. Have high visibility coats and two way radios.
5. Will not place themselves at any risk
6. Will be aware of the history stories, and meet and greet visitors, making them feel welcome and safe

The grounds are already being informally walked by early church patrol volunteers as a precursor to the full scheme. We have noted significant local peer pressure against anti social behaviour and we believe that pressure from the local people who have protected this building for so long, and want to see it cherished and preserved, will win out.

Please get in touch if you could join the rota. This is ideal for friends to do together, and our first volunteers were a local husband and wife team.

5. FUND RAISING ITEMS

We continue fund raising in readiness (we will need a lot of money!) and ask you to collect and donate the following:
Aluminium cans
Washed food cans
Used printer ink cartridges
Unwanted mobile telephones and any gold including if broken or incomplete
Clothes (any condition), shoes, handbags, linens, bedding sets
Unwanted gifts and any bottles or tombola prizes
Bric a brac and clean complete toys
Your loose change 'every penny counts'

We also still require Dudley Market stall sponsors (the cost is £22.56 - sponsor a week and if you have a business we will promote you). You can meet us on Dudley Market every Saturday and why not come to our jumble sale every Friday in the drop in centre (address below) 11am-3pm (you can also view at other times).

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL ON SATURDAY 27th ......................a time to set all problems aside and enjoy good company and conversation, and celebrate the survival of this wonderful Grade II listed Victorian church building for 173 years so far - we'd love you to take a look at the extensive grounds as well, now that they have been cleared and are looking spectacular. We'll show you where the key graves are if you haven't seen them - The Tipton Slasher, Mary Ann Mason, Marion Richardson, Hansons Beer family, the family of Sir Alfred Hickman founder of Tarmac and first president of Wolverhampton Wanderers. There will also be a souvenir guide leaflet.