From the Exprerss and Star website, published 14th December 2011. Click to visit the original article.

I note today with some concern from a report in the Express & Star that Walsall Council is talking about moving the Local History Centre and Archives, as well as the local history museum, into a new custom-built centre near the Leather Museum in Littleton Street West. On the face of it, this seems a very positive move, yet I’m left feeling uneasy. Walsall Council is broke, if we’re to believe the pronouncements of several members of the cabinet and our dear leader Mike ‘Blofeld’ Bird. Whilst cutting the library service and positively butchering social care, we are expected to believe this is being carried out for service improvement. Somehow, there has to be a cost saving agenda at work.

I note it’s the usual pie in the sky suff; a bid ‘could’ be made, the idea is being ‘explored’ – whether this is stalling or not, I can’t tell. Walsall Council often make announcements like this with no idea how they’ll be executed, and they’re soon forgotten. Walsall Local History Centre is a diamond shining in the crown of Walsall Leisure Services. I’d hate to see it dimmed. This blog wouldn’t be what it is today without the help and patience of the staff who help all comers find out and explore the history of our borough.

If Walsall Council screw this up, I’ll never forgive them. We need to keep an eye on this.