Heritage in canal caves

Letter: Readers will have seen your front page article telling people of the "Songs in the caves" concerts I am involved in with my working partner Lozz Hipkiss of RoosterSpake.

The cave was used for years by my cousin, Geoff Hughes, and members of The Black Diamond Club.

Lozz works tirelessly to nurture and find platforms for the wealth of talent we have in this area. Possibly, if there were a few Lozzes on various bodies around the region there would be a realisation that what people want is within.

Local talent needs to be encouraged and Roosterspake's objective is to work with as many local historic organisations as possible so folk, spoken word, storytelling and theatre can be seen and heard across the region in as many public venues as possible, be it churches, pubs or historic houses. This is why we were thrilled to be asked to bring some of our friends into the caves and acknowledge the heritage left by Geoff and others.

The setting is magnificent, the music and spoken word embedded deep in the heart of the region and we hope along with the Dudley Council Trust it will be a platform for many more ventures.

We owe it to our ancestors to uphold traditions once so important to our community. Lozz and I will continue to put down the stones and hopefully forge links that will enable our region's voice to be heard.

Info and tickets for shows can be obtained from Lozz on 01384 231013 (£5 for trip and shows, Saturdays August 2 and 9, 7pm till 9pm approx).

Billy Spakemon, Tower Road, Tividale.