Thanks again to council whiz Kate Goodall for bringing this fine festival happening next week to my attention. Along with Caldmore, Chuckery is one of my favourite bits of Walsall and has, to put it mildly, a banging community spirit, with a very diverse community.

There are events all week from Saturday, 13th July to Sunday 21st July 2013, and there seems to be something for everyone, including food, fun for kids and live music. There’s even knitting. Man, these Chuckery types are rock and roll…

Thanks to Kate for the headsup and to all that work so hard to stage these great community events in the borough.

Why not print a few out and put them up on your local noticeboard?

Chuckery Festival 2013 – Saturday 13th July to Sunday 21st July

Now in its third year Chuckery Festival has a much extended programme in 2013.  Starting on Saturday 13^th July with the popular community event in the grounds of the Chuckery TMO (Paddock Flats) off Union Street and closing on Sunday 21^st July with a music concert at the refurbished Bandstand in Walsall Arboretum.  During the Festival period there will be other free local events. A full programme or more information on individual events and any programme updates can be obtained by email to chuckeryfestival@gmail.com or via our Facebook page ‘Chuckery Festival 2013’ or by txt to 07594 889136.  Please note that the Festival programme is subject to change without notice. If you need any more information then please contact us.

Saturday 13^th July at the Paddock Flats starting at 12:00 (noon) until 6:00pm a community festival with performances by pupils from Chuckery Primary, Blue Coat Junior and Blue Coat Academy.  Also featuring music from Samantha Downes, the Park Hall Community Choir, the Family Worship Centre Band, the ‘Walsall on Song’ Choir, the Jazz Phoneys and Floor6. Together with a variety of community stalls, the Fire Service, Walsall Police, NHS and lots of health, wellbeing and community information.

On Sunday 14^th July from 10am to 3pm Free Health Checks at Chuckery Pharmacy (Kinnerley Street) and

also on the 14^th July: at St Luke’s Church – Messy Church on the ‘green’ between Selborne Street, Chuckery Road and Walsingham Street from 4pm.

Monday 15^th July from 7:00pm at the Wheatsheaf Pub, Birmingham Road – In Stitches Knitting Group open invitation evening – ‘Wool against Weapons’ come along and contribute to knitting the peace scarf.

Tuesday 16^th July in the Chuckery TMO Community Room, Croft House, Union Street from 1:00pm to 3:30pm experience Make-Do & Mend a Craft Afternoon – with the In Stitches group – knitting, crocheting, felting and ‘repairs’ together with the ‘Friends of Earth’ group making their famous Mors Bags.  All with other friendly Chuckery people – so do come along young or old even if it is just for a cup of tea, a biscuit and a natter!

Thursday 18^th July at the Wildlife Garden in Walsall Arboretum starting at the main Arboretum entrance (opposite Morrison’s) at 5:30pm a guided walk for children with parent/guardian’s by the Arboretum Rangers and a visit to the Wildlife Learning Garden organised by the Arboretum User Group.

Join in with the Chuckery Community contribution to the ‘BigCleanUp’ on Friday 19^th July from 2:00pm to 4:30pm, (organised by our friends at Chuckery TMO) meet at the Paddock Flats, Community Room, Croft House on Union Street

A Prize Quiz Night at Chuckery Club, Beacon Street on Friday 19^th July starting at 7:00pm with a guest music appearance by Natalie Gazey.

Another chance on Sunday 21^st July from 10am to 12 noon for your Free Health Checks at Chuckery Pharmacy (Kinnerley Street).

Music Festival on Sunday 21^st July at the Bandstand in Walsall Arboretum starting at 12:00 (noon) until 6:00pm and featuring the ‘rootes’ reggae band Gabbidon promoting their new album and featuring the Steel Pulse founder Basil Gabbidon then hear Walsall Jazz Orchestra, also Grey Goose Blues Band  with original songs in a contemporary blues style and then Fat Lip playing funk soul and blues plus others …

Get the full programme and updates by email from chuckeryfestival@gmail.com or via our Facebook page ‘Chuckery Festival 2013’ or by txt to 07594 889136.