October in Tipton

A lot of hard work from Tipton Community Association, Tipton Civic Society, and the team and groups at Tipton Library (just to name a few) went into organising the Carnival, this year's Slasher Day, Black Country Food Day, Tipton Community Day and no end of talks and other small gatherings. Their efforts should be shouted from the rooftops in my opinion. People should know what's available to them right on their doorstep.

Take Tipton Library for example. It's a hive of activity with the Knit and Natter Group, Local History Group, Ancestry Group, Scrabble Group, Open Mic Evenings, and Kids' Games Club (ideal on a wet Saturday morning when my daughter is asking: "What can we do today, Mum?"). It's a lifesaver in the school holidays with free crafts, story sessions and the 'Animal Man' (showing my age now!) who brings a vast array of snakes, toads and other creepy crawlies to be held and gasped at.

The library was also the venue for this year's Local History Day, which saw it buzzing with old and young alike looking at a 1930s Bean Car, an exhibition celebrating 50 years of Tipton Community Association, photos from Palethorpe's, and the work of very talented local artist Graham Colbourne who's paintings of Tipton scenes adorn many a Tiptonian's living room wall (we have nine in total!). Cakes, bread pudding and tea were all in plentiful supply. Children (including my own) were presented with certificates for taking part in the library's Summer Reading Challenge by the Mayor (who is a Tiptonian) and other notable Tiptonians (including Tiptonian of the Year 2013, Betty Johnson). It was a great (and cheap) way to spend a couple of hours, learning things about the place I've lived in all my life and passing the importance (and love) of local history on to my 6-year-old. (And I know I've not even started to mention all the things going on at Great Bridge and Glebefields Libraries.)

The Canal Festival is something that we look forward to in our house. It's duly marked on our calendar as soon as the date is discovered, and we're on a countdown as soon as September begins. Come rain or shine (and it's mainly the former rather than the latter), the crowds descend on Coronation Gardens to look at the array of stalls, stands, and canal boats (and pop into The Fountain Inn for a pint or two).

Coming up in December is something else that has a place on the family calendar. The first thing you hear on that magical evening is a bell, coming from a neighbouring road. This signals a flurry of hats, coats and gloves being put on and running out of the front door, little eyes looking and listening up and down the street. Then, the distant sound of Slade's Merry X-mas Everybody means he's on his way. A few moments, later Santa appears in his sleigh, courtesy of Tipton Community Association and little faces glow with excitement. My little girl is already looking forward to seeing him again this year.

I got a few negative tweets when I started the Twitter account, mainly referencing the not-so-good stuff that's happened in the area. The way I see it is that all places have good and bad things that go on, but let's focus on the positive and spread the word about the hard work, quietly done by Tiptonians to make events like the Carnival, the Canal Festival and Local History Day happen for us all to enjoy. Since April this year, @ThisIsTipton has steadily grown a band of 684 followers. Not bad for a little town in the heart of the Black Country.