Fabulous nature - not a cuppa in sight
Date Published : 02 February 2007
Walsall Council is calling on people to let us know what they would like to see from a new visitor centre at the borough’s landmark Barr Beacon.
Whether a café to rest those weary feet and enjoy a reviving cuppa or a viewing platform to survey the stunning panorama of the Black Country and beyond, why not let us know.
Proposals for the visitor centre are being drawn up as part of the ‘Green Bridge’ project - part of an ambitious wider project between the four Black Country councils to connect and transform green spaces and public open spaces.
The Black Country has submitted a bid for £50 million to BIG lottery, entitled 'A Million People: Black Country as Urban Park'. If successful , it will go forward to public TV vote later on this year.
Young visitors to the gallery can create mini sculptures and draw their own pictures of how they would like Barr Beacon visitor centre to look, with the best attempt winning a special goodie bag at a special ‘art-interactive’ family consultation day.
This is being held at the New Art Gallery Walsall from 10.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday 10 February 2007 - a chance to celebrate the gallery’s seventh birthday and help develop the visitor centre.
Council chiefs have also laid on a free programme of events around February half-term week for people who want to get involved in the multi-million pound scheme.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for people to have their say on a project which will help continue the revitalisation of our borough.
“Barr Beacon needs a visitor centre and we want to get Walsall people’s views on what it should look like, where on the landmark it should be located and what facilities it should offer.
“As part of the wider the ‘Black Country as an Urban Park’ project, the ‘green bridge’ would create a fabulous leisure amenity for residents of Walsall and Sandwell, bringing more jobs and investment to the Black Country.”
Walsall Council and Sandwell Council working together to create a 12-mile link connecting the heart of Walsall and the Arboretum with Dartmouth Park and the town centre of West Bromwich.
The whole project comprises the ‘Green Bridge’, restoration of Dudley’s Seven Sisters mine and revitalisation of canals in Wolverhampton - three major environmental projects shared between four councils.
People are set to get the chance to vote for the pioneering project in a televised final later this year.
All the events in February half-term are free and promise to be a lot of fun. Simply drop in, no booking is needed. They start at 10.30am and finish at 3.30pm. For further information, call Glenn Buglass on 01922 650000.
Free half-term events in Walsall:
15 February
Podcasting Workshops
Tree Dressing
at Barr Beacon Lodge
16 February
Flag making
Tree Dressing
at Walsall Arboretum Palm House
17 February
Mini-sculpture Walk
from Walsall Arboretum bandstand
The main route of the 'Green Bridge' runs through the Walsall Arboretum to meet Rushall Canal. It then follows the canal until it meets the borough boundary with Sandwell, close to Moat Bridge and the Tame Valley Canal. A longer and more challenging route takes in the Barr Beacon and Great Barr village.
Barr Beacon is the magnificent high-point on the route and the highest point in the West Midlands. It offers a stunning 360 degree panorama over Shropshire, the Black Country, Birmingham, Staffordshire and Cannock Chase.