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Page 22 DUDLEY CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 2012
in Manchester
Day Excursion, Saturday 23 February 2013
To book call:01524 37500 quoteWOL
or book online atwww.starextra.theatre.travel
Organised by Omega Holidays, ABTA V4782. Subject to availability.
Please note: Omega Holidays cannot be held responsible for the non-appearance of
any celebrity and no refunds will be given in this event.
From
£64.95pp
Directfrom theWest End and starring Jason Donovan, the feel-good international hit sensation Priscilla Queen
of the Desert the Musical is coming to Manchester for two weeks only!Winner of 4WhatsOnStage.com awards,
including Best New Musical, and based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure
of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more
than they had ever dreamed of. Jason Donovan stars asTick, the role he originated in theWest End.
With a dazzling array of outrageous Olivier and Tony award-winning costumes and a hit parade of dancefloor favourites
including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,
and I Love The Nightlife, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous!
Opera House Theatre, Manchester
Return coach travel from Dudley, Walsall & Wolverhampton
THE WAY I SEE IT
Measures in statement are
important for local traders
I WAS pleased to
contribute to the
economy debate in
the Commons chamber,
arguing that,
whilst borrowing figures
remain disappointing,
many of the
measures in the
Chancellor’s Autumn
statement were
important for Black
Country businesses
to help them prosper,
grow and create additional
employment.
I was pleased to join Tina
Lloyd of Kingswinford for
the Digital Heroes awards in
Parliament where Tina
picked up a large IT grant
for Fit4Life which helps elderly
people keep fit and
active.
There was also a visit to
Pens Meadow, a special
school in Wordsley where I
met with Marie Bissell,
headteacher, for a tour to
meet the wonderful children
and staff. I was able to pick
up discussions about funding
for special schools in the
borough and concerns about
funding equal pay awards.
Braving the cold weather
again several times, I have
been knocking and dropping
our 2013 calendar and my
Christmas card, enabling me
to have plenty of conversations
with residents on the
doorstep on my way round.
I held a busy constituency
advice surgery at Brierley
Hill Library. Myself and my
Dudley South
Conservative MP Chris
Kelly takes the stand in
our weekly Chronicle
column which gives
our local
representatives the
chance to air their
views
“Age Uk Dudley provide wonderful
support to elderly people in our
borough, many of whom would
otherwise be very isolated. “
experienced team are
always available to help constituents
— if you need any
help or advice don’t hesitate
to get in touch using the
contact information at the
bottom or, if you have an
issue you wish to raise with
me, you can also make an
appointment to attend one
of my surgeries.
Champions
It was a delight to once
again attend Midlands Got
Talent at the friendly and
www.expressandstar.com/free-editions
welcoming Champions
Church, Netherton — and
even more delighted when
14-year-old Jess Powell from
Kingswinford — already a
powerful opera singer, won
with her performance of
Nessun Dorma.
I visited the Royal Mail
sorting office in Kingswinford
to meet staff and thank
them for their hard work
delivering our Christmas
cards and packets at this,
the busiest time of the year
for the postal service.
I enjoyed spending time
with Age UK in Dudley
starting with visiting one of
the charity’s sessions at
Bromley Methodist Church
hall in Pensnett to meet
with several of the service’s
users, as well as some of the
dedicated volunteers and
staff like Jenny Bates who
provide wonderful support
to elderly people in our borough,
many of whom would
otherwise be very isolated. It
is good to know, particularly
at this time of year, that Age
UK Dudley is there for our
older residents.
Afterwards I was shown
around Age UK Dudley’s
excellent new facilities at
the Merry Hill centre by
Elaine Panchal of Age Concern
Dudley Trading Limited,
and Sally Huband,
Chief Officer of Age UK
Dudley.
The Age UK information
and advice office provides
shopmobility services for
centre users as well as providing
insurance, energy,
funeral plans and other
products to those who are 55
and older.
It is a great facility and a
great shopfront raising the
profile of this important
charity in the borough.
Westfield, owners of Merry
Hill, are to be congratulated
on their decision to work
with and help Age UK Dudley
for the good of our community.
Winning
Whilst there I was pleased
to be able to draw the winning
tickets for the Christmas
raffle; some super
prizes – including a giant
teddy bear and brand new
children’s toys, all donated
by kind-hearted local people
–will shortly be on their
way to the lucky winners.
I know that Age UK Dudley
would welcome any new
offers of assistance from
willing volunteers. To volunteer
call 01384 354 508 or e-
m a i l
mail@ageukdudley.org.uk.
As this is my last column
before Christmas it only
remains for me to wish all
readers a very merry Christmas
and a happy new year.