Leisure and culture news
Celebrate Big Book Fortnight in the Black Country
Published on 16th May 2012
Popular children’s book series Spy Dog and Spy Pups will be brought to life at the launch of the Big Book Fortnight.
Chainmakers' monument to be unveiled in Sandwell
Published on 10th May 2012
A stunning 10ft steel monument will be unveiled in Sandwell during celebrations to mark a landmark strike by women chainmakers.
Mother's Day at Haden Hill House
Published on 5th March 2012
Members of the public are being invited to give their mum a traditional treat this Mother's Day at Haden Hill House Museum.
Date for Time Team-style dig at Manor House
Published on 9th February 2012
Part of the grounds at Sandwell's medieval Manor House in West Bromwich will be the scene for a Time Team-style dig.
Yoga and relaxation events at Sandwell Park Farm
Published on 2nd February 2012
Sandwell Valley Park Farm will be the venue for a series of relaxation events later this year.
Football matches in Sandwell parks postponed
Published on 2nd February 2012
All football matches planned for Sandwell parks and open spaces this weekend have been cancelled.
Too busy to read? We have an answer
Published on 30th January 2012
A campaign to encourage people to borrow bite-sized books by big name authors is under way in Sandwell.
Plea to budding artists to get their brushes out
Published on 10th January 2012
Local amateur artists in Smethwick are being given a chance to have their work recreated by a professional artist.
Library proposals to be discussed
Published on 6th January 2012
Sandwell library chiefs are to look at wide-ranging proposals for the future operation of the borough's library service in the face of funding cuts.
Success for Bearwood on Ice - three days still to go!
Published on 22nd December 2011
Sandwell's Bearwood on Ice outdoor skating spectacle is proving to be one of the borough's top attractions of the year with over 12,000 visitors in just five days.
Olympic Torch and Mela celebrations to make unforgettable weekend
Published on 21st December 2011
Next Summer, over 100,000 people are set to join in community celebrations as the arrival of the Olympic Torch will be marked simultaneously alongside the Birmingham & Sandwell Mela.
Enjoy Christmas in West Bromwich this week
Published on 19th December 2011
Check out some of the great Christmas events going on in West Bromwich town centre this week.
Smethwick school wins Bearwood on Ice snowman competition
Published on 14th December 2011
Youngsters from a primary school have won the make-a-snowman competition in the run-up to the winter wonderland Bearwood on Ice spectacular at Lightwoods Park.
Santa's grotto at Sandwell Park Farm
Published on 6th December 2011
All good boys and girls are invited to meet Santa at Sandwell Park Farm in Sandwell Valley this Christmas.
Skates on for Bearwood On Ice winter wonderland
Published on 23rd November 2011
Sandwell is putting its skates on as the countdown begins to the opening of an outdoor ice skating rink in Lightwoods Park.
Sandwell welcomes Olympic Torch announcement
Published on 8th November 2011
Community leaders and sporting stars in Sandwell welcomed the news that the Olympic Torch will pass through three towns in the borough on June 30 next year.
Lord Coe and David Moorcroft on Sandwell being on Olympic Torch Relay route
Published on 7th November 2011
Sporting heroes Sebastian Coe and David Moorcroft today welcomed the news that the Olympic Torch Relay will be coming to Sandwell next year.
Sandwell on 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route
Published on 7th November 2011
Thousands of Sandwell people will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Olympic Flame carried through the borough next year on its way to the London 2012 Games, it was announced today (Monday 7 November).
Horticultural show raises hundreds for charity
Published on 1st November 2011
Cash from one of the most popular events in Sandwell's yearly calendar is boosting the coffers of Mayor Councillor Joyce Underhill's charity drive.
Hedge laying race to support armed services
Published on 27th October 2011
An event to raise money for the armed forces is taking place at Sandwell Valley on Sunday (October 30).
Hedge laying in Sandwell Valley
Published on 20th October 2011
Important winter work has just begun in Sandwell Valley thanks to funding from Natural England's Environmental Stewardship scheme.
Open days at Galton Valley Canal Museum following move
Published on 18th October 2011
The Galton Valley Canal Museum has opened its doors to the public following a Summer move to the neighbouring Smethwick Pumping Station.
Halloween and half-term activities at Haden Hill House Museum
Published on 11th October 2011
Scary and spooky stories will be the order of the night as Haden Hill House in Cradley Heath sees in Halloween.
Rock history project records teenagers' bedrooms
Published on 7th October 2011
A Black Country museum is looking to record the state of Sandwell teenagers' bedrooms as part of a history project celebrating popular music culture.
Island clearance at Forge Mill Lake
Published on 6th October 2011
Work begins next week on improving an island in Sandwell Valley for ground nesting birds.
Bonfire night show on November 5
Published on 29th September 2011
Preparations are under way for Sandwell's annual bonfire night "All Fired Up" celebrations.
Sandwell Valley honey open for buzz-iness
Published on 19th September 2011
Sandwell Valley's very own honey is now available for sale at the Valley's farm shops.
Pavilion and gym unveiled at West Smethwick Park fun day
Published on 8th September 2011
A feast of family fun for people of all ages comes to West Smethwick Park on Sunday (September 11).
Find out more about a new £18 million leisure centre for Oldbury
Published on 7th September 2011
You can find out more about Sandwell's proposed £18m leisure centre at a series of mini-roadshows this month.
Summer fun for children in Sandwell
Published on 22nd August 2011
Dozens of young people with disabilities and special needs in Sandwell have benefited from a three-week fun activity scheme that has been run over the summer.
Haden Hill Park set to rock this summer
Published on 15th August 2011
A Sandwell park is set to rock over the next few weeks with two late summer music events planned.
'Rock Stars' family fun days
Published on 11th August 2011
Nearly all children dream of being a rock or pop star as they grow up.
Trial parking in Lewisham Park for WBA home games
Published on 8th August 2011
Football fans can try out extra parking for a trial period at West Bromwich Albion's first two home games.
New look for Sandwell Horticultural and Midland Leek Show
Published on 2nd August 2011
Visitors to this month's Sandwell Community Show will see a few changes as the popular event has undergone a facelift.
Illegal fishing and swimming clampdown
Published on 26th July 2011
Sandwell Council countryside rangers are appealing for public help in a bid to clamp down on illegal fishing and people swimming in the borough's waterways.
Community fun day for Tividale
Published on 11th July 2011
Dancing, sumo wrestling and It’s a Knockout are just some of the attractions at a fun day in Sandwell on Sunday.
Medieval heavy metal hits Manor House
Published on 6th July 2011
A Sandwell Grade I listed building will be rocking to the sounds of a medieval-themed heavy metal concert next week.
West Bromwich pool work moves on
Published on 5th July 2011
Survey work is under way at the site of a £13m swimming pool and leisure complex in West Bromwich.
The bard is back
Published on 4th July 2011
Staff at Sandwell's Haden Hill Park are hoping the current good weather lasts at least for another few days so that an outdoor production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew can take place.
Leisure centre to close ahead of £18m redevelopment
Published on 30th June 2011
A Sandwell leisure centre is set to close at the end of October ahead of an £18m redevelopment.
Attention all sports clubs
Published on 28th June 2011
Sports clubs in Sandwell are being offered the opportunity to get involved in a development programme.
Launch of Sandwell Arts Festival
Published on 17th June 2011
From a touring giant foghorn to art exhibitions, bhangra and comedy there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Sandwell Arts Festival.
Shakespeare in the park rescheduled
Published on 15th June 2011
An outdoor Shakespeare production planned to be performed in a Sandwell park was cancelled due to "tempest" weather conditions.
Giant foghorn to be unveiled at arts festival
Published on 8th June 2011
A giant replica foghorn will be a star attraction at this summer's Sandwell Arts Festival.
1970s family fun at Haden Hill
Published on 1st June 2011
If you ever wondered what to do with that old wide-lapelled jacket and flare trousers - then there's an ideal event coming up at Haden Hill House Museum and Park.
Gym boost for West Smethwick Park
Published on 1st June 2011
One of Sandwell's top parks is to get get some "muscle" thanks to lottery funding.
Fun at Sot's Hole this weekend
Published on 1st June 2011
An open afternoon at a Sandwell nature reserve this Sunday (June 5) will celebrate a major two-year restoration project.
Salvation Army brass band concert at Haden Hill
Published on 26th May 2011
A Japanese Salvation Army brass band will give a free concert in Sandwell on Bank Holiday Monday.