Community

The photographs above show from left to right pupils interviewing 'Blind' Dave Heeley on Armistice Day, interviewing ex-soldier Mark Soulsby at the school
and 92 year old ex-soldier Ivan Walker

The Friends group approached Keith Shilton, Head Teacher of Eaton Valley Primary School. which is situated on the edge of Sandwell Valley very close  to Dartmouth Park, to invite the school to help record the restoration of the Park as it happens.  The project was taken up with enthusiasm and Year 5 selected.  All pupils will be involved whether they be presenters, reporters, editors, script writers or researchers, and a DVD is to be produced.  The War Memorial was restored in time for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, and the first round of filming took place when four of the children interviewed the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Joy Edis, ’Blind’ Dave Heeley, and John Satchwell Jr, the Restoration Manager, on Armistice Day. Interviews also took place at the school with two ex soldiers, Mark Soulsby, who served for 22 years, and Ivan Walker, age 92, who gave an emotional response to the question: “What does Remembrance Sunday mean to you?”
 
The project was conceived by Mark Barrett, the Friends’ Social Historian, who had been involved in a similar exercise in Birmingham.  He is producing the film with the support of Class Teacher, Ashley, Eaton Valley’s IT expert Mark, Menzies CLC, and Wednesbury and West Bromwich Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit who have provided the funding.