Only South African Greg Ricketts made any impression with the ball, by taking three for 19.

Walmley were restricted to 119 for seven in reply, Mo Usman's 35 proving the highlight.

Griffiths said: "It was bitterly disappointing. Hosts Cannock had worked hard to provide a great day, and we simply didn't play well enough."

Winter draws on..

It seems strange to be contemplating July from the middle of May, which is when I wrote this missive. We have snow forecast for the North and more frosts for the Midlands. As you read this we are well into whatever summer nature is giving us. Is that unpronounceable volcano in Iceland still giving the ferry companies a bonus year, have the unions finished of BA, and is David Cameron making his presence felt on the World Stage? (that is after he's stopped doing Strictly Come Dancing with the Cleggies) makes us wonder quite who we voted for. That one little cross is the only power we have got, but hey, that's Democracy.
July, the nights are drawing in and we are nearer next Christmas than the last. On a brighter note we should be enjoying the fruits of our outdoor labours. Fighting off the aphids and slugs, burning food on barbeques, pondering why the veggies aren't growing. Too much rain, too much sun, cold winds and cat attacks. Don't I just love this country! Never a dull moment with the assistance of Mother nature. Out in the valley the full flush of summer growth has followed the blowsy effervescence of spring. The birds will be winding down from their annual procreative endeavours and the wild flower meadows will be overtaken by strong grass growth. Maybe we will have made a start on replacing the boardwalk. Hopefully funds will be in place due to our Sponsor a Board scheme and your name will be seen underfoot. There is still time to order your board as this is an ongoing initiative until the whole walk is sold. Finally batten down the hatches 'cos school will be out shortly. Enjoy your summer.

30.06.10

Whooopppeeee!!!

Walmley pages  has reached a milestone!
We have now been trading in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield for FIVE years. A big thank you to all of our local Walmley contributers, to our Sutton Coldfield / Walmley advertisers and most of all the general public of Walmley, Newhall and Minworth, Sutton Coldfield for your constant support and positive feedback.

18.07.2010

Coalition and Community

So that's apparently voted for, a coalition government. At least I think we should reserve judgement for a while and see if it is effective as a force for the good health of the country. Dave seems to be O.K., but it seems as if the spirit of compromise has allowed some of his stated red lines to have been already crossed. His failure to stand up to president Obama during the B.P crisis and not to point out the American involvement in the disaster leaves me wondering if he is tough enough. Backpedalling and the quiet watering down of some election pledges may set the tone of his premiership. Of course they can be explained as part of the deal to form the coalition with his new mate Nick. The Lib. Leader spent half of the election campaign like a rabbit caught in the headlights and now looks like the cat that got the cream and went to heaven. I certainly do not feel that two minority parties should use the coalition of power to tinker with the constitution or to make major changes to Parliament. Are you now ready to be patronised as we get a referendum on our voting system? The arguments will all centre around the fact that us poor voters don't understand what we are voting for or how our votes add up. On the theme of being patronised, how many of us have taken up Nicks offer to tell him which laws need repealing? Surely there are too many to list so let's just make one new rule that says that before a new law goes into the statute book, at least four should be struck off.

On a happier note, by now the Newhall Valley Boardwalk should have been rebuilt. Our Walmley community and our band of volunteers have come up with the goods once again. It is amazing how much good can come from one minor act of arson. The response to our appeal for sponsors and active assistance has been overwhelming and successful. The results are in the Newhall Valley for all to see and to all who have contributed, a mighty big thank you.

See Jeff's full article in the August edition of Walmley Pages Magazine 

P.S Keep your eye out for local Walmley and Sutton Coldfield events, Sutton Coldfield Carnival. open days at Newhall Mill etc 

Tracks, toilet and treads
 
Down in the Newhall Valley the boardwalk is filling with names. The response to our appeal for sponsors was so great that we have overloaded our tame woodworker. Mike Jewell has been working flat out to carve the dedications on the Boardwalk treads and we all owe him a major vote of thanks. Mike is also the guy who is responsible for the carving on our rustic benches that we have placed in the valley. Don't mention it to Mike but there is still time for anyone to sponsor a Boardwalk tread for the sum of £35.00 and have your contribution recorded underfoot in a practical manner. All donations will be used within Newhall Valley to alleviate the shortfall in public funding as budgets are harshly cut and to allow us to continue to develop our green space into the community resource that it deserves to be.

Now that the extended cycle route has settled into regular use, it is probably time to remind ourselves that the track is for use by Walkers and Cyclists of all ages and abilities. With this in mind could I make a plea for courtesy between users, there is no one group that takes priority over another. If you have a bike, please use a bell, if you are a walker, please use a smile.
You may have noticed on some weekdays that we have a changing group of Community Payback workers in the Valley doing lots of maintenance tasks that would otherwise not be attended to. This is from the initiative of the Probation Service and we feel that it is a commendable and worthwhile form of "penalty" from which all parties benefit.
Last note about the Newhall Country Park that deserves a mention is the eternal issue of dog fouling. Whilst I would rather let dog's poo in the long grass than see beer cans or crisp wrappers, it is antisocial to say the least not to pick up after your canine companion. Logistics and price and ongoing revenue costs preclude the provision of more bins so it is unavoidable that it has to be transported to the park entrance. This is preferable to hanging it in a bush to catch out the next litter picking volunteer that comes along.
Remember, it's our Valley, there to be shared and enjoyed by all. Toddler to teenager, parents to pensioners. There's room for us all.   

 Want to know whats happening in Walmley?  See Jeff's full article in the September edition of Walmley Pages Magazine    

 P.S Don't forget to keep your eye out for local Walmley and Sutton Coldfield events, Sutton Coldfield Car Boot Sales etc