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Shown the ropes
Pam Pedley tries out the course at Quest at Merry Hill
AGe is no barrier to adventure for some thrill-seeking older
people from Dudley who braved the high ropes and ice rink
at Merry Hill shopping centre.
A group from Age UK Dudley enjoyed a fun afternoon at
Quest, the new adventure and entertainment area of the
shopping complex.
Age UK members who normally attend exercise, IT or art
classes at Merry Hill tried new experiences, such as iceskating,
nerf blasters and climbing to great heights on the
high ropes course, the highest of its kind in europe. Jenny
Worwood, Springboard project co-ordinator with Age UK
Dudley, said: “Our clients had an afternoon to remember
filled with laughter and achievement.”
One of the adventure-seekers, 71-year old Pam Pedley,
said: “It was absolutely brilliant and I got such a buzz from
the experience.”
Another member, Alex Christie, said: “All activities were
great fun, some a little more scary than others, but I was so
proud I walked across one of the highest ropes.”
NEWS
Police aiming
to get extra
powers and
tackle booze
PEOPLE caught boozing on the streets in
Quarry Bank face their drink being seized or
even arrest under new powers being sought
by police.
Officers have applied for an area which includes the High
Street, Dunn’s Bank and Stevens Park to become an alcohol
exclusion zone. They want
the zone in a bid to stamp by Alex Ross
out anti-social behaviour,
which they say is blighting Gordon also said the
the lives of people who live drinkers’ behaviour was
there.
causing a risk to residents’
Alcohol exclusion zones health and putting a strain
already exist in town centres on local services.
in Halesowen, Stourbridge, He said: “Regularly there
Dudley and Sedgley. are several empty beer cans,
Sgt Steve Gordon said the signs of urination and glass
area was facing problems of bottles left strewn over the
litter, noise, violence and area. This then becomes a
damage to property because health hazard for people in
of people openly drinking in the area as it is untidy and
the streets.
unhealthy.”
He said: “Over the years Within the proposed zone,
quality of life in Quarry police will have the power to
Bank has been increasingly take alcohol off people.
affected by a noticeable People who fail to hand it
increase in individuals and over can be issued with a £50
groups of people consuming fixed penalty notice.
alcohol in public places. Chris Homer, co-director
“There are now several of electrical store Homers of
acts of anti-social behaviour Quarry Bank, in High
which have resulted in complaints
Street, said: “We’re not here
to both police and the in the evening, but in the
local authority.
mornings you see the
“It is greatly believed that rubbish and the empty beer
this increase of issues can be cans lying around.”
quelled by the introduction Dudley Council’s licensing
of a drinking ban in public
committee is to consider
areas of Quarry Bank.” Sgt it on Wednesday.
DUDLEY CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 2012 Page 13
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