Chris' corner - The views
of Stourbridge resident
Chris Armfield

Chris Armfield, looking very rock and roll

We've known lifelong Stourbridge resident Chris Armfield for some time now, and few people feel as strongly about Stourbridge as Chris does. Sometimes his views are controversial, sometimes funny, but you can't ignore his enthusiasm and love of the town. For these reasons we felt we should give Chris his very own blog on Stourbridge.com, so please visit again soon for the thoughts of Citizen Chris - power to the people! Please be aware that Chris' views are not necessarily always shared by Stourbridge.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And still it goes on!
I refer to the ridiculous parking in & around the town, although we have Police, PCSO’s, Dudley's Parking Control Wardens & CCTV, the job at hand isn’t working. For such a small area as the town centre I can’t believe that with all these resources supposedly on duty and doing their rounds we are still having many parking offences un-monitored or just ignored.
My biggest gripe is with those motorists that still park over the Disabled Access Ramps, for around three years now I have bought this to the attention of The Police, PCSO’s, Dudley’s Wardens & our local MP Lynda Waltho, but still there has not been a Vigilant stand on these Motorists Offences. All these drivers should know their Highway Code, Obstruction of Footpaths, Disabled Access Ramps, Parking on Street Corners (obscuring view for Drivers & pedestrians alike) etc are all driving offences. So if I can see this every day and many other residents in Stourbridge can, why can’t those whose job responsibility it is to keep the streets & pavements clear and safe for the public, after all they pay their taxes for these services.

Thoughtless parking in Stourbridge town centre

Thoughtless parking in High Street, Stourbridge

Lazy parking in Market Street. Stourbridge

Heroes come in all walks of life, and on Saturday 14th November, we definately had a couple. A criminal who had sneaked his way into the Card Warehouse staff room (in the Rye Market) was caught by two of the towns clampers of Eurostar Parking Control (EPC). I know these guys have had some bad press in the past, but that has only been by those who have been caught illegally parked on their companies patch-which are well signed with warnings in plain sight to see.
But these guys are like all of us people doing a job, the same as the police to protect certain parts of our legal system i.e. parking on private land that other people have to pay for parking rights and illegal parking on these spaces is classed as trespass.
Anyway one of the clampers noticed a white male aged in his mid 20’s drop from a first floor window at the back of the Card Warehouse and proceeded to knock one of the staff out of the way, and make his escape.
The Clamper took chase and apprehended this thief, and another E.P.C. employee helped restrain this criminal until the Police could arrive and formally arrest him.
So Three Cheers to the Dynamic Duo of E.P.C. for saving the day, and recognise them for a genuine act of Heroism and Community safety. Good on Ya Boys !

At around 10:35am on Fri 20th November, my girlfriend noticed a crow in some distress as it was entangled in some old netting at the back of the Lloyds Bank in the High Street of Stourbridge. This crow we believe was one of the inquisitive crows that a few people have taken to in the Town. On closer inspection our fears were confirmed and it was the male crow that we had nicknamed Eric. My girlfriend contacted the RSPCA who turned up in around 45mins after trying to find somewhere to park for directions. As it’s the time of year for them to pair up we had noticed that he was feeding his mate with the scraps that we had been putting out for them. After watching the BBC’s Autumn Watch with Bill Oddie, we are reminded to feed our bird population through the Winter months. Many Species are in decline and although we are not bird watchers this Murder (collective name) of crows has intrigued us as they are very intelligent and have some great personalities. Officer Paul Seddon of the RSPCA worked hard cutting the crow free from the netting, upon releasing the bird to see if it could fly decided that it would be best to take it back to head quarters for further observation and rest as there were no broken bones but a possibility of muscle strain and shock. Let’s hope Eric our Inquisitive crow is well and can be reunited with his mate and still visit us, as we are just as inquisitive with these Beautiful and intelligent Avians.
Big thanks to my girlfriend Katrina for noticing poor Eric in distress, and to Paul Seddon of the RSPCA. On a personal note I do hope Eric is well as he has inspired me to start painting wildlife (my portrait of Eric below).

As the Crow Flies

One of the best presents I could have wished for on my 50th birthday came as a very pleasant surprise. Just under a week ago we had poor ‘Eric the Crow’ who had been caught up in some netting on the roof at the rear of Lloyds Bank on Stourbridge High Street.My girlfriend acted fast and rang the RSPCA and although they have been inundated with many jobs saving wildlife due to the really bad weather conditions the Country has been hit by, they promptly sent a rescuer round. This rescuer came in the shape of Officer Paul Seddon, who told us that Eric hadn’t broken any bones but had most likely pulled muscles, was in shock and very fatigued from trying to free himself as he couldn’t fly upon release. Eric was taken away and we were concerned that we might not see him again but as fate has it on my 50th birthday, Eric was returned. The RSPCA had taken him to Cuan House Wildlife Rescue in Shropshire, where he was looked after wonderfully till he had recuperated enough to be brought back home.
So for myself it was a very Happy Birthday and a happy reunion with Eric the crow being safe and free to fly the skyline of Stourbridge once again. (27 Nov 09)

Like a Phoenix from the Ashes, the Historic Talbot Hotel in Stourbridge High Street
is fighting its way back from having a bad reputation from its previous tenants.
After last years closure coming up to the Christmas Period, the Hotels first total closure in 460 years, we now have tenants who are working hard to build this Hotels reputation for excellent service & hospitality back to Stourbridge. The new management & staff are a breath of fresh air, from the previous and last three tenants who really didn’t have the heart or vision to see what this Hotel could do for its community & that of our over seas guests.

Recently a group of us attended the Talbot’s “Monster Halloween Party” and the turn out was excellent with everybody dressed up in some fantastic Halloween Costumes,
which just goes to prove that you can still have fun dressing up no matter what age you are!
Many costumes were home made but looked like they came right off a film set.
Their next venture is a Classy Black & White New Years Eve Masquerade Ball-Disco & a scrummy Buffet (Masks Compulsory). So if you want a Quality New Years Eve Party to go to this year its worth a thought!
Info and tickets are available from Harvest Moon, Victoria Passage, Stourbridge.
Tel 01384 374884.
If you’re interested the Talbot Hotel are doing special package deals for the New Year, telephone them for information on 01384 394350.
So lets hope the Talbot Hotel goes from strength to strength and keeps the fun & community spirit in Stourbridge.
I am told they are bringing more entertaining ideas to us in the New Year, so I think we can look forward to a Hotel that delivers quality Accommodation, service and entertainment for us all to enjoy in the years to come.

Sundays are usually a little quiet in Stourbridge, but not on Sunday 30th August. An uninvited guest from the surrounding wildlife made Superdrug on Stourbridges High street come alive. A wild squirrel decided to maybe pick up a few bargains from Superdrug, it scampered along the High Street and then dodged into the shop followed by a group of girls taking photos on their mobile phones. The girls remarked that the squirrel reminded them of a cute character out of an animated film called "Over The Hedge".So this celebrity squirrel nicknamed "Hammy" had the paparazzi on his tail (excuse the pun). In the end he decided to hide among the hair accessories (see pic).

Sharon, John and Emily,who work at Superdrug tried to lure the squirrel (aka Hammy) out of the shop with some tasty nuts on a cardboard tray, but Hammy obviously fed up with all the attention decided to make a get away and in the process took the nut and scratched Johns face. Hammy,you should never bite the hand that feeds you. But hey,Hammy the Squirrel was on the Town and what can you expect from a celebrity!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a personal note,I am searching for all those people who are coming up to their 50th year who went to Gigmill School,Longlands School (see picture below) and even Stourbridge Art College.Basically anyone who has had contact with me so that we can have one mega 50th birthday party to celebrate our lives and also look back and remember those who we knew who didn't make it.As I say we are all History and we all have our own stories,all worth remembering especially for future generations.

So lets make our mark and enjoy having a huge gathering to celebrate our lives so far. If you're interested please send in your messages of approval and watch out for future Ads in the local newspaper or on this site.
All The Best, Chris.

Chris' corner - The views of Stourbridge resident Chris Armfield

Chris' corner - The views
of Stourbridge resident
Chris Armfield