Village set for first Christmas lights switch-on

Wall Heath Village People was formed three months ago by residents and businesses wanting to put some life into the area.

Having held a number of fundraising events it is now in a position to hold its first major event – 'Light up Wall Heath' – on November 30.

Chair of the group is Michelle Preston, who is the landlady at the Horse and Jockey pub and has lived in the village for over a decade.

She said: "Before the pub I used to run a charity shop in Wall Heath. I love this village. The majority of people who live here have a real passion for it.

"The problem is that it hasn't been supported. It had started to look a bit tired. A group of us realised if we didn't do something ourselves then it won't get done."

Mrs Preston and the group had hoped to provide a number of lamps for the lights switch-on but had not realised the cost required.

Unwilling to give up on the event they pushed Dudley Council for support and got them to agree to four of the lamps.

The group has also sponsored the majority of local businesses to buy lights to use in their shop fronts.

Mrs Preston added: "Our motto is working with the community, for the community. Our real aim is to get the community to work together, including people of all age groups, and we want people to have pride in where they live.

"That is what it is all about really - bringing pride back into the community."

The Christmas lights switch-on will begin at 3pm on Sunday, November 30, at the Horse and Jockey pub.

After that they are hoping to hold a number of events through 2015 including an archaeology dig, a party in the park and entry into a village in bloom competition.