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Wednesfield North Community Excellence Award!

Working hard for our community identifying people who do much to make a difference.

Wednesfield North Councillors, Councillor Rita Potter, Mary and Phil Bateman, have been honouring the untold community work, and the charity workers, and volunteering of individuals and Groups who have done much for this Community, over the years.

In 2019 at the venue of the Ashmore Inn we awarded certificates 42 Awards and 90 people attended the event

In 2022 at the venue The Hub at Ashmore Park we again made awards to 52 hard working members of our Community.

In 2023 at the Venue The Hub at Ashmore Park 31 individuals Groups and business received a certificate because of their endeavours.

This year 2025 we are once again going to run this Wednesfield North Community Excellence Award. So if there are hard – working community volunteers or charity workers who deserve some recognition for the great deeds they do.

Then get ready to inform us when the details of this year Awards are further released.

Councillor Phil Bateman added “This is a well-received recognition award here in our community. Please as in previous years start giving this some thoughts now, and then follow the instructions when the further information is published.”

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A Tale of St Patricks Day – From Cllr Phil Bateman Archives 2006

TAs we approach St Patricks Day 2025 It reminded me of the day I wrote an invitation to the Irish President Mary McAleese inviting her to what was still our newly proclaimed City of Wolverhampton in 2006. In those days we were the Mayor & Mayoress of the City of Wolverhampton.

Here’s the tale – The Day We Invited Ireland’s President to the City of Wolverhampton! This was back in 2006. The President of Ireland was Mary McAleese .

Below is the extract from my records of that occasion. Enjoy the response….
“Both Mary and myself are really looking forward to the day and the undoubted good humour that will go with it. I thought that at one time it would be good thing if we could get the British Waterways Board to dye the canal at the Broad Street Basin green. But I was persuaded against asking in the end!

My thoughts were after-all the boy’s in Chicago are going to dye their river Green and that will be spectacular!!

Sadly one of the failures that I have received that year, was the invitation I made to Irish President Mary McAleese to join us with us here with our Irish community. Unfortunately she graciously declined the invitation….but we did of course have the cheek in the first place to ask!
But even though she is not going to be with us. Here is the message that she has published to her fellow Irish Citizens.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT McALEESE -“I wish to send warm greetings on this St Patrick’s Day to Irish people at home and abroad, and to Ireland’s friends around the globe.

Today is a day of celebration in Ireland and for our global Irish family throughout the world. Over many decades the people of Ireland, resolute in their belief in freedom, democracy and human rights and the pursuit of truth, justice and peace, have worked to create the successful Ireland of today. We can all bear witness to the arduous trials of our predecessors. Yet, through it and perhaps because of it, we have built a new confidence and sense of direction � our collective aim to create a better Ireland and a better life for our children and our children’s children.

Many years of hard work have gone into our economic development which has blossomed in recent years. We have created a society in which the traditional welcome for the stranger is extended to people from many countries whose endeavours have contributed hugely to our economy and to enriching our cultural diversity. We are building new communities, transforming inhabitants into neighbours and neighbours into friends. Our national emblem, the shamrock, itself teaches us to honour unity in diversity even as it celebrates diversity in unity.

Our country today is vibrant, cosmopolitan and filled with energy and, with our own distinctive national character and our international relations are playing an important part in our maturing as a nation and deepening our understanding of our place in the world. The world is ever-changing and we accept that we need to change with it. Greater understanding of our fellow members of the European Union, and of the wider world, is a central part of meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities which lie before us. I am confident that the strength of Ireland’s culture and values will stand to us in the future.
To my fellow Irish citizens, and to our friends celebrating this day with us, may I say, in the words of St Patrick himself: -A blessing on their peaks,
On their bare flagstones,
A blessing on their glens,
A blessing on their ridges.
Like the sand of the sea under ships,
Be the number in their hearths;
On slopes, on plains,
On mountains, on hills, a blessing.
I wish all of you a very happy and peaceful St Patrick’s Day.”
So we failed with that request, but President McAleese’s fellow countrymen still enjoyed the day in Wolverhampton and we had a great morning with Wolverhampton’s Irish Community

Always Issues Facing Our Ward of Wednesfield North.

There is never a dull moment in Wednesfield North.

As we approach the end of this working week. Plus, the impending year end. Let me inform you of the issues and actions your Wednesfield North Councillors have taken.

There is a Planning application published, reference 24/00974/FUL It’s a proposal for a two storey side extension ,single storey rear, and single storey front extension. The address is 138 Springhill Road Wolverhampton.
This is a new planning application for this particular site. The neighbours consultation ends in a few days time on the 24th December 2024. Any comments or interest in the planning application needs to be made before
this date.

This week your Councillors have dealt with an allegation of ‘sub-letting’ of a dwelling here in Wednesfield North. We have pressed for the removal of fly tip in conjunction with this case. The Internal Fraud team of The City Council are working in conjunction with Wolverhampton Homes
And our legal team also.

There is a proposal about to be made public for a Road Safety Scheme for Linthouse Lane. The City Council is shortly going to send correspondence to local neighbours, with a set of proposals for safety in the lane and to reduce speeds travelling.

John Prescot- A Titan of the Labour Party!

Well, I woke this morning to the news of Lord John Prescot passing away. It’s made me sit and just remember.
Today will be a very sad day for me and Mary, as it will be for his wife Pauline, and family, and the hundreds, and hundreds of Labour Party members, who will also be mourning his passing today.
John was a ‘titan’ of the Labour Party, he was an energetic political campaigner. He was a fantastic bloke, and never ever forgot his roots.
Today, I have a head full of memories, jangling about.
John was the longest serving Deputy Prime Minister, this Country has ever had.
John was a good friend, he was a longstanding friend, that I have known for decades. A guy that I respected, had fun with, and very much enjoyed his company. I campaigned with him and campaigned for him.
He invited me to join with him in 1992, in London and for a memorable few weeks I worked with him and Peter Snape in Westminster.
John visited Wednesfield North, to speak, to ‘gee up’ the local Labour Party in the early 80’s, He spoke in the Corpus Christi Club, on Ashmore Park. He went down a treat!
Both Mary and I have had memorable nights out together, with his good friend, Peter Snape former MP for West Bromwich East.
John Prescot will be missed in our Labour Party, and his legacy will long be remembered by historians. I will remember the intensity JP had for politics, the Labour Party. The friendly times we had together. The long talks about public transport, the enthusiasm he had for Regional Government, and the importance he placed on Local Authorities.
John Prescot we will miss you, but both Mary and I will never forget you.
Rest in Peace, you have made more than a contribution to improving our great Country.

Mary Bateman Wins Wednesfield North in 2024 City Council Elections!

Great Result Mary!
This is the third election you have fought for Labour in three years here in Wednesfield North. It was a great result winning the seat again for Labour. Winning 65.49% of the vote. Great performance.

Wednesfield North – Declared
Candidate Votes
BATEMAN Mary
Labour Party

1431

WILLIAMS Nathaniel Robert
Local Conservatives

754

Majority 677 votes.

Elected = BATEMAN Mary – Labour Party

Turnout = 26.35%

£500m Investment Plan – Building a Thriving City!

Elections are important, and we are looking forward to the 2nd of May here in Wolverhampton.

We have been busy as a Labour led Council, in building for the future. As part of that planning for the future investments of £500m for new apartments, retail and leisure spaces at the designated City Centre West and St Georges part of the City, will be moving forward.
!
Planning is key to any delivery. and City Centre West has featured heavily in the Wolverhampton Investment Prospectus. It is the largest single regeneration opportunity in the city centre.

The transformation of the west side of the city into a new City Centre West Quarter is set to deliver around 1,000 new homes, along with leisure, retail, and high-quality public spaces.

Its all part of our plan to ‘Build a Thriving City’ which we can all be proud of!

Susan Vickers 21st ‘Star’ in Ashmore Park Walk of Stars!

Councillor Phil Bateman MBE said, “Today I am welcoming Susan Vickers, as the 21st ‘Star’ in the Ashmore Park Walk of Stars.

Susan is well qualified to become a Member due to her early years living and being educated here in Ashmore Park. Those early years are encapsulated in her book .

Today Susan delivers inspirational work across the city.

I have known her for many years, and she captures the spirit of being a Walk of Stars member. Susan is a bundle of energy, she wants to improve our city. Already she has done much to inspire young people. Susan fits the role of being a role model and a person who has developed and made a career, from a very difficult start in life.

Take a look in what Susan Vickers is involved with. A good communicator and an accomplished broadcaster, model, entrepreneur, and community champion who has been supporting numerous local festivals, charities, and events.

Her daily broadcasts on international radio reach over 985k people, making her a powerful voice in the world. She uses this platform to discuss and raise awareness about issues that many of us face on a daily basis.

Her books, which have been over 30 years in the writing, is a testament to her resilience and determination.

With the recent cultural revolution, Susan finally feels that the world is a safer place to talk about her struggles with identity, and she is proud to share her story with others.

Councillor Phil Bateman added. “Young people today have many challenges, I hope they will be inspired and to lift their eyes and have faith and a confidence in their own abilities. That they will look forward and dream big about their future. My message to young people in Ashmore Park and Wednesfield is be Inspired, have confidence in yourself. Read and gain confidence by the way all these twenty one members of this Ashmore Park Walk of Stars have achieved a place in society, and are role players, across the huge prism of life.”

Susan’s experiences as an International broadcaster, a model, and a talented communicator have equipped her with a unique perspective that she uses to help others.

She speaks out against social injustices, shines a light on important causes, and supports various charities. Susan’s latest endeavour has been to launch her own Susan Vickers Foundation. Susan’s focus is aimed at the “incredible, adoptees, fostered and care experience people. Stating that the foundation is for you”.

Susan is a powerful force for good, and her work has made a significant impact in the lives of many.

Severn Trent Boundary Box – Rocester Ave Wednesfield. Temporary Closure.

Please find details below regarding the proposed temporary closure of Rocester Avenue, Wednesfield North, Wolverhampton. (A Date for Your Diary)

• Rocester Avenue service road closed between properties 21a & 29.
Access/Egress to frontages maintained.

The closure can be viewed on One.Network via this link – https://one.network/?tm=137419585

It is anticipated that the above closure will be in place from 01/04/24 to 03/04/24 to facilitate a boundary box installation by Severn Trent Water.

If you have any concerns or comments, please contact me by 13/03/23, in order to process the advertisement of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) accordingly

Two Key Wednesfield North Highways Project for Cabinet Next Week.

Next week the Cabinet will have on its agenda for debate and discussion two items that will affect Wednesfield North residents.

A road safety improvement proposal to spend £50,000 on Linthouse Lane.

Also a £417,000 project to resurface the Amos Lane.

Both schemes have been called for by Wednesfield North Councillors. So its pleasing to see scarce resources being used on these key local highways which are key corridors in our local highway network.