After a suitable time period of reflection. I am today announcing that Raj Kumar, the popular Hardware store owner that died so suddenly at his store in the Ashmore Park Shopping Parade recently, will now join the much acclaimed Ashmore Park Walk of Stars!

Raj was a huge personality here in Ashmore Park, and his sad demise led to thousands of Ashmore Parkers turning up to pass their respects.

Councillor Phil Bateman said today “ I have had dozens of people asking me to add Raj to the ‘ Walk of Stars’ – He very much fills the criteria to be honoured in this way.
He was a stand-out trader here for 32 years, he was immensely popular, and I think he did more for relationships than perhaps anyone we know. So many Ashmore Parkers have asked for his inclusion to the Walk of Stars, I am happy to agree with their sentiment. Raj was a legend locally, on a par e with Ronnie Barkers own cult shop keeper Arkwright!

It was only recently when we were discussing the WIRE awards with Raj, that he told me he had been working on the estate for 32 years. He was a very proud man, a nice man, he put his customers first. There are so many residents who can tell you of his personal kindness, and his cheerful demeanour. What Raj had done for them, how he had gone out of his way to give customer service. Raj Kumar was a great man, a kind man, a lovely man, in his shop and outside his shop.

His customers were from right across Wolverhampton and further.

Raj’s shop was an ‘emporium of delight’! It was full of goods and widgets! Raj knew where everything was, he believed serving his customers was important, and he told me he had worked hard over the years to win his customers respect. He certainly did that and today we honour him further by enrolling him into Ashmore Park Walk of Stars!

Here is the latest Version of my   Facebook site ‘Walk of Stars – Ashmore Park’  to high-light and draw attention to this fantastic life & personal contribution individuals from this housing estate in Wednesfield have added to the City of Wolverhampton, and of course our Nation.

There are people on this list who are eminent in their field of Excellence they operate within, some with impact far beyond the shores of Britain.

This list is not by itself complete, these are not the only people to make an impact on everyday lives

There are of course others, I am sure of that!

I hope residents and other readers will identify other names that can be brought forward and added to this page. I remain hopeful that a more ‘tangible’ recognition of Ashmore Park ‘Stars’ will be delivered in time and not just through the medium of Social Media. My aim is to see a ‘Walk of Stars’ laid at the Ashmore Park Shopping Parade, thereby recognising individuals with immense talent, at a place recognised as being in the center of our community. This would act as an economic driver to the shopping parade as the development of the ‘Walk of Stars’ would attract the attention of visitors .

Such an action would increase the self-esteem of the estate, help to continue to build self-esteem and reputation for Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, and Wolverhampton.

I do hope this article will help to ‘Cheer-Lead’ our community to support these aims and objectives.

These are the Walk of Stars that have been identified.

Ashmore Park ‘Walk of Stars’ Newest Entrant – Phil Palmer!

Barrie Gower ‘Creative and Inspirational Ashmore Parker’

Barrie Gower-

Barrie Gower –  Former Coppice High School student, who now runs his own company in South East England . Councillor Phil Bateman said ” Creative and skilful. A very inspirational Ashmore Parker who easily makes my ‘Ashmore Park Walk of Stars’.

Barrie is a very creative Emmy Award winning Prosthetic makeup Designer, involved with many productions for both TV and film.  Including the Harry Potter series and HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Contributing also to The Wolfman & The Iron Lady.

Another Ashmore Parker who has been brought to my attention to be enrolled in the Ashmore Park Walk of Stars is Terry Ridgway –

Terry has been a prominent Table Tennis player representing up to County standards.

Terry lived in Snape Road Ashmore Park, Terry and his family  are well known Ashmore Parkers.

Ken Rock- Scriptwriter to the Stars! A great man and a great addition to the Ashmore Park Walk of Stars

– Kenneth Rock Scriptwriter to the Stars! – Ken is a long time resident of Ashmore Park. He is now an Ashmore Park Walk of Stars Member. 

He is a Scriptwriter of national and International repute providing scripts and working with some of the biggest and funniest comedians in British comedy history. Ken has been a scriptwriter since 1974 and has written comedy material for many radio and television shows and comedians in the UK including Ken Dodd, Roy Hudd, Dave Allen, Kenny Everitt, The Grumbleweeds, Two Ronnies, Russ Abbot, Brian Conley… and many more. He has  also written for TV shows in Germany Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Denmark. In 1989 He  became the first person from Western Europe to sell comedy material direct to Czechoslovakian TV. In 1998 he ran the first workshop for producers and directors for Nelonen TV, Finland. In 1998 He  ran the first comedy writing workshop for African writers in Zimbabwe. In 2000 Ken jointly ran the first comedy writing workshop in Lithuania for Lithuanian scriptwriters. He has run workshops in many different countries including Denmark, Czech Republic, South Africa, UK and USA. Ken is currently working as a mentor and in development for various companies around the world.

• Ken Rock is the Founder Member British Society of Comedy Writers, Scriptwriter, Lecturer and Mentor; President British Society of Comedy Writers Workshops, Events & Conference Organiser;  Head Judge Wolverhampton’s Top Talent Show 2009 Head Writer/Researcher; President The Comedy Writers Association of Great Britain

• Kevin B Garner- Wolverhampton University

  Kevin B. Garner After Coppice he studied at Wolverhampton Polytechnic for his Degree in Engineering. Today he is the Head and Principal Lecturer Of Department Architecture and Design. Over the years he has done much improve and develop the department at home and abroad. Kevin still lives in Wolverhampton and continues to work at the Wolverhampton University

• Professor David Rayson – Artist – London Royal College of Art. David Rayson was appointed Professor and Head of Painting at the Royal College of Art in 2006. He is a practising artist, tutor and curator and his work has been exhibited widely in the UK and internationally. His work is included in major collections held by the Tate, Whitechapel Art Gallery, the British Council, Deutsche Bank, Rubell Family Collection, The Open University and The Contemporary Art Society.
  • Tony Milovsorov –Athlete lived and went to school on Ashmore Park . Took part in World Cross Country Championships..
  • Sean O’Driscoll– Footballer, and one of the best known Football Manager’s in the UK
  • Karl Henry who played football for the Stoke, Wolves and QPR. He lived in Ashmore Park and went to St Alban’s School.
  • Gary Williams Aston Villa footballer & brother of Steve Williams who played for Walsall
• Roger Ellis World Cycle Speedway Champion – Wednesfield Aces home Ashmore Park!
• Willard Wigan MBE A sculptor recognised for working in miniature.
• Adrian Anslow – Military – Died in Falklands war
• Beatrice Cattermole legendary Head Teacher
• Terry Green Coppice High School Teacher- Fund raiser and Local Choir Master
• Nigel Garton West End Actor,
• Ian Mason– Military died serving his Country
• Annie Wilder – International Artist living in New York

So who would you add to this list, and why would you add them? My email address is email@philbateman.com