Great stuff! From the Express & Star, Thursday 19th June 2014. CLcik for a larger version.

Well, it’s really nice to see that after a few years in the doldrums Brownhills Canalside Festival is reinvigorated by the boundless energy and enthusiasm of Brian Stringer, who’s working hard to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever before.

Brian and his fellow community activists – including Councillor Barbara Cassidy and Doug Birch – have also put in the hard work and achieved a clean up of the waterside and Pier Street Pedestrian Bridge. I salute all involved in that, I really do. Painting such a large structure is bloody hard work at my age, let alone Brian’s. Great work.

Brian has written to me with further details of the event, which takes place from 10:00am, next Sunday, 29th June 2014. Please do support it if you can. Events can only grow and thrive if they are supported, and I get so much email about there being a dearth of stuff happening in the area, yet few appreciate the things we do have going on. Please support them.

I haven’t seen this weeks Walsall Advertiser yet – if indeed they have let the Festival down, I’m pretty upset about that. The Advertiser Editor Lee Kettle has been very good to this blog and with coverage of Brownhills current affairs in general, plus I’ve helped them too; I’d like to think that maybe Lee could correct this unfortunate oversight push this event.

Brian wrote:

Hi Bob

Once again the Walsall Advertiser has let us down with news of the Canal Festival.

I gave the reporter chapter and verse 2 weeks ago and he promised to give us a plug, but so far nowt.

Anyway I know we can rely on Our Bob so I just thought I’d fill you in on the programme we have arranged on the stage which will be sited near to the bridge.

• 10:10  Dr Brian Dakin will be regailing us with tales and monologues for 40 minutes, and I’m told he is brilliant.
• 10:55   The official opening speech.
• 11:00   A performance by the Spotlite theatre.
• 12:00  Trad Jazz with Barbara’s All Stars.
• 12:45 Winners or the childrens Art Competition will be announced.
• 1:15      Trad Jazz again with Barbara’s All Stars.
• 2:15     Pelsall Ladies Choir.

Tesco have donated a trophy and prize money for the Canoe Club to organise a race which they hope will become an annual event, but Sutton Canoe Club are in charge of that so I’m not sure what form it will take.

The weather has been ordered and if delivered as promised we should have a good day.

Cheers Bob and bring your camera.
Brian

If you want to know more, help out or offer your services, contact the Brownhills Local Committee with the details below – alternatively, If you want to speak to Brian Stringer directly (he’s a lovely bloke) drop me a line and I’ll hook you up.

Contact Brownhills Local Committee on 01543 361144.

Brownhills Local Committee
The Parkview Centre
Chester Road North
Brownhills
Ws8 7JB

Anyway, thanks to Brian, who was as helpful as ever. He’s a true friend of the blog.

Looks like a great event!