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The Friends welcome Blind Dave Heeley as an Honorary Member of the Group
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The Friends met up with Blind Dave, who uses Dartmouth Park regularly for his training sessions, and he says he vividly remembers how it used to be when he was a lad, and he is delighted that the Park is being restored.
Dave said: ‘Dartmouth Park used to be the highlight of my week; I may have visited my local park on week days, but at weekends I visited Dartmouth Park and thought it a place full of adventure. This was the only park with attractions for everyone. There was the boating pool, band stand, bowling green, paddling pool, tennis courts, putting green, swings and slides, and, of course, it had the fabulous pavilion at its centre, where I purchased my ice cream.’
Dave recalls how the Park Keeper was always respected and revered. ‘No one put a foot out of place when he was around. If a notice said ‘Don’t walk on the grass’, you certainly didn’t walk on the grass.’
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We are pleased to announce that Blind Dave will be opening our Picnic in the Park Event on Sunday 19 July at 1.45pm.
Do come along and support what we hope will become an annual event for Dartmouth Park and the people of the Borough.
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Part of Dave’s training takes in half a dozen circuits of the park, which he does at various speeds, before moving into Sandwell Valley to continue his training. He says: ‘I know the point I have reached in my run when I can hear the children enjoying the play area.’
Boxing Day is a very special day for Dave and his family, when he takes part in West Bromwich Harriers’ Annual Handicap Run in Dartmouth Park. He says: ‘Members of all ages take part, and it’s good competitive fun.’ Dave said the best he’s managed to achieve is third place on one of these Boxing Day Runs.
What Dave is looking forward to is using a park that’s well run and safe, and has amenities for people of all ages. He wants to see it full of children enjoying themselves in the fresh air, rather than cooped up in their bedrooms looking at a computer screen.
The Friends are delighted to have Dave on board as an honorary member of the Friends of Dartmouth Park.
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The Friends Quarterly Event at Sandwell Park Farm on the
25 June is a great success.
The photographs show Matt leading us through Priory Wood, Chris telling us about the history of the Farm and Nigel Slater, our Chairman, updating the Friends on the progress of the restoration. |
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It was a beautiful summer evening and our quarterly event at Sandwell Park Farm was very well supported. Our grateful thanks must go to Chris, Malcolm and Matt for giving us their time and making our evening such a success. Chris Moore gave us a talk on the history of the Farm and then, together with Malcolm, we were taken on an extensive tour of the wonderful kitchen garden. We were shown the exotic fruits growing in the garden and in the green houses, which have been planted to replicate what was once grown in the garden for the Earls of Dartmouth when they lived at Sandwell Hall. The garden looked splendid and the fruit trees were laden with fruit ready to ripen, which will be sold in the Farm Shop.
We were all so interested in the garden that we didn't return for our refreshment break until
9 o'clock, this meant that our planned walk in Priory Wood with Matt took place at dusk, which was quite an experience. Matt told us about the wildlife in the valley and pointed out different trees and plants as we walked through what seemed like an enchanted wood at such a late hour. We walked as far as the Priory Ruins and the Sand Well before returning to the farm, with a detour to visit the Ice House once used by the Hall.
Once again thanks to Chris, Malcolm and Matt for making this quarterly event so memorable. |
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Beeches Road Enterprise Centre plant a
flower bed
in the Park |
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On the 18 June Beeches Road Enterprise Centre, who work in partnership with Red House Park, planted the circular flower bed at the bottom of the main avenue in the Park with plants they have grown themselves. This photograph doesn't show the bed at its best as all the plants are not in flower yet, but it still looks great. Thank you to Beeches Road Enterprise Centre for your support. The centre will be having a stall at our Picnic in the Park event.
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(This page was last updated on the 3 July 2009) |
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| We feel we are justifiably proud of our beautiful local park |
Mailing Address :
Friends of Dartmouth Park
New Street Lodge, Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich, B71 4AS
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| Committee: |
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Nigel Slater
Chair |
Roger Stopford
Vice-Chair |
Annette Welch
Treasurer |
Carol Hartill
Secretary |
| Betty Finney |
Margaret Geddes |
Pauline Lawley |
Sue Slater |
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Mandy Timms
Membership Secretary
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Mark Barrett
Social Historian |
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email:
carolh.fodp@btinternet.com
annette_welch@sky.com |
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This website has been developed for the Friends of Dartmouth Park by
Sandwell Community Information & Participation Service Ltd |
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