Christmas Day in Priory Park
The exceptionally warm weather has encouraged some of the shrubs to flower for Christmas, and the same conditions, plus a break in the rain of recent days, encouraged a number of people out into the park on the afternoon of Christmas Day - walking off the effects of a heavy meal, and putting Christmas presents to good use. [25/12/2002]

New roses
New roses were planted in all the beds, not just the rose garden, on 18th and 19th December. The conditions at the time were rather frosty, but this was probably less of a problem for the new bushes than the heavy rain and warmer conditions which followed, which left the rose beds water-logged. The work has been done by the Council, although FoPP has been actively engaged in campaigning for the work to be done, and also had a say in the choice of varieties planted. We look forward to seeing the new plants in bloom later in 2003. [25/12/2002]

Progress on the Pavilion
Work is still continuing on the reconstruction of the Pavilion. The new roof is now in place, and work seems to have started on the interior structure, but there still seems some way to go. The outside is still covered in graffiti. [25/12/2002]

The barrier on the drive to Priory Hall
Many people have commented on the fact that the barrier which the council put in place at the top of the drive to the hall, which was intended to prevent unauthorised vehicle access at night, and the undesirable activities so often associated with this, is still not being locked at any time. We are assured by the council representatives that a procedure for locking the barrier will be introduced 'Real Soon Now' (our wording and capitals, as we feel after all this time that we will only believe it when we see it!). FoPP has continued to make representations about this, and there is really no more that we can do - we just hope that this time the barrier really will be brought into use. [24/12/2002]

The Carol Concert
Our Carol Concert in the park on the evening of 19th December was a great success, and blessed with good weather for the time of year - no rain and no frost (though certainly not warm!).

The illumination of the ruins was spectacular - we eagerly look forward to the installation of permanent lighting.

The event was very well attended - we had printed 130 copies of the programme, and this proved insufficient. The FoPP tent proved very popular - it was dispensing tea, coffee and mince pies!

Priory Primary School put on a superb performance with plenty of carols and readings, and Castle High School also contributed with three carols.

We did attempt to film the event, but the lighting was very difficult (something we will improve next year, so that the choirs can really only be seen in silhouette.  In retrospect, it would have been better if I had used my still camera and hammerhead flash, and produced a slide show with the sound recording of the concert as a backing. Until I have a larger computer I can't attempt to edit the video film, but I hope we may be able to retrieve something from it and produce some more still pictures for the web site in due course.

Many thanks are due to those involved in organising the event, and we would like to thank Dudley College and Town Centre Manager George Whitehouse for their support. Particular thanks are due to the performers from Priory Primary School and Castle High School, and to the small team which nobly looked after the refreshments in the tent during the whole evening.  Now we are already thinking about a similar event for 2003. [21/12/2002]

The Priority
Issue 5 of our newsletter, The Priority, is now out, and members should either have received it by now, or should receive it soon. It is now available IN COLOUR on the web site here. [18/12/2002]

Forthcoming events

Please support the carol concert which is being held on 19th December at 7:00pm adjacent to the ruins in Priory Park. The choirs of both Castle High and Priory Primary schools will be taking part, and the ruins will be illuminated specially for the event (this will be something of a 'trial run' for illumination, as plans are in hand to install permanent illumination for the ruins at some point in the future). This promises to be a memorable event, so please join us.

All Lit Up
The Priory Ruins will be lit for the first time officially for the Carol Concert on 19th December. However, a preliminary test was needed to check the number of lights etc, and this was done briefly on the evening of 4th December. We only had a couple of lights available for the test, so only a small part could be illuminated at any time, but that was all that was needed to check the total number of lights and positions for the concert. We should have some better pictures after the event on the 19th, especially as we'll use a tripod rather than a monopod for the long camera exposures necessary in this lighting, but there are a couple of examples below. Even the brief test attracted quite a number of people to come and take a look, and the full result on the 19th promises to be quite spectacular.

As mentioned previously, there are plans to provide permanent lighting for the ruins, although that is likely to be at least some months further into the future. [04/12/2002]

Santa's Grotto!
No sooner had the FoPP team cleared up after the social evening on 22nd November than it was making its way into the town centre at 7:00am on Saturday 23rd to set up Santa's Grotto in the market place. After a gap of a few years, Dudley is having Christmas illuminations, and these were due to be turned on by a television celebrity soon after 4:00pm on the 23rd - over a month before Christmas! FoPP was invited by George Whitehouse, the Town Centre Manager, to use their tent to house a 'Santa's Grotto' on the 23rd, with the opportunity to get some publicity in the process. With less than a week to prepare for this, as well as the social evening taking place the previous evening, this was quite a tall order, but nevertheless we managed to get everything together in time. This was only the second time we had put up the tent, and we are definitely getting better with practice - just as well, as torrential rain started falling just was we finished getting the tent up. As the rain beat down on the tent, we were glad to be under cover as we set up a tree, decorations, a lucky dip and a small display of our work inside. Santa was appropriately garbed and bewhiskered by the time the first shoppers were about, though the rain did mean things were quiet for a while. Happily the rain stopped by mid morning, and there was even sunshine, though a cold wind made itself felt, even in the tent, and Santa commented that he was glad of his warm clothing!

Throughout the day we were distributing free mince pies, obtained by the Town Centre Manager, though a good many visitors seemed suspicious of anything being offered free. Later in the day, free fruit drinks and hot soup were on offer from alongside our tent. We had lots of visitors during the day, children being given sweets, trying the lucky dip, and writing letters to Santa. We also recruited a few new members, and sold a few cards and calendars, which, together with donations, contributed to our funds.

This was another successful event which gave us a good opportunity to increase awareness of our group and the work being done to improve Priory Park & The Green. Many thanks to the team, especially Chris and Fred Rich, Arthur Weston, Janet and Jessica Alderman-Rowe, Wendy and John Herbert, Ann Davies, Linda Pearson, Phil Griffiths, Clayton Thomas, and Dennis March, who were the ones most involved in setting up and manning the Grotto. [24/11/2002]

Social Evening, 22nd November
FoPP held its first social evening in the Banquetting Suite at Dudley Town Hall on the evening of 22nd November. Over 70 supporters turned up, which was close to the capacity of the room. The event was judged a resounding success, with a pleasantly informal atmosphere and good company. There was plenty of excellent food, and we were entertained with live music throughout the evening. The raffle brought in a useful contribution to our funds, with some good prizes for the lucky winners. The excellent calendar and Christmas Card designed by Phil Griffiths were also on show, and plenty of both were sold. Many thanks to those involved in organising the event, especially Christine Rich, Janet Alderman-Rowe, Phil Griffiths and Arthur Weston. [24/11/2002]
Right: Christine Rich, our Secretary, who did the catering, with the food - before we got at it! Sorry about the miserable ?#d in the background on the right!  Photograph by Phil Griffiths.
 

Priory Park gets Grade II listed status
English Heritage has added the whole of Priory Park & The Green to the Register of Parks and Gardens as a Grade II listed site, following representations to them by FoPP. This is some of the best news we have received since the Friends were formed. Although it doesn't bring in any money, or make improvements any more likely, it does protect the park from developments which would have a negative effect on its character and value to the community. [12/11/2002]

Forthcoming work on the ruins?
Today, 6th November, there was an inspection of the state of the Priory ruins by the council and English Heritage. Despite the very wet conditions (at least underfoot), it was possible to get an inspection vehicle up to the main arch. It had been hoped to use a smaller platform to access some higher parts of the rest of the ruins - the larger vehicle was not suitable for the grassed areas in these parts - but the conditions made it impossible for even this lighter inspection platform to be brought near enough. Despite these problems, the inspection was an effective activity, and restoration work on the arch and one particular vandalised area were highlighted as being of very high priority (sorry!). We are hoping that in the light of the observations a major renovation program will be initiated in stages, with additional preventative maintenance also being carried out. There are also plans for some low fencing around the ruins (intended to designate the heritage area - a disincentive to abuse, rather than a challenge to overcome it!), and illumination to highlight the site at night. [06/11/2002]

Photographs above: Left - Inspection of the main arch. Right: The most seriously vandalised part of the ruins

Newsletter now available on the web
Members of FoPP receive an excellent (paper) newsletter, edited by Phil Griffiths, every few weeks. Now we are making that newsletter available to friends on the web. Both a web page version, which can be viewed with your browser, and a PDF version, for viewing on line, or downloading, and viewing with Adobe Acrobat, will be available. The September issue (Number 4) is already available, and future issues will also be available this way, as well as on paper. We may add previous back numbers at a later date, although as they were not produced in the same way, there may be some delay. [03/11/2002]

Storm damage
The very strong winds on Sunday 27th October did quite a bit of damage in the park, with many branches being brought down, two smaller tress uprooted, and a large section broken off one of the trees on the mound behind Priory Hall (see photograph). [28/10/2002]

Different Strokes Seminar
We got only 15 hours warning that we were attending and exhibiting at a seminar arranged by those involved in the Different Strokes initiative at Dudley College on Friday 25th October. Despite the short notice, and by dint of some burning of midnight oil, we managed to get some material together for a stand. At even shorter notice - just half an hour - one of our members was asked to do the photography for the event during the day! The photograph shows FoPP Vice Chair Phil Griffiths pointing out some of the features of the display to local MP Ross Cranston. [28/10/2002]

Local school children plant bulbs in the park
We have been in contact with local schools to increase their involvement with the park, and we had hoped to have some sessions where the children planted bulbs on Monday 21st or Tuesday 22nd of October: the weather prevented this, but happily the re-arranged date of Thursday 24th provided us with really good weather, and three groups of children from the local Priory Primary School took part in the activities. They all seemed to enjoy the occasion, and we are all now eagerly awaiting the spring, when the daffodils and tulips should be flowering - look out for more pictures at that time. We would like to express our thanks to Ashwood Nurseries, who kindly donated the bulbs for the project. [24/10/2002]

More improvements
Work started today, Wednesday 23 October, on resurfacing some of the pathways around the ruins. I don't think that FoPP can claim any particular credit for this as it came as a surprise to most members - though no doubt our general lobbying for improvement influenced the Council in starting this much needed and very welcome work. [23/10/2002]

Local MP visits Priory Park
Local MP Ross Cranston visited Priory Park on 4th October, and was given a conducted tour by FoPP. He showed a keen interest in the state of the Park and the work being done by FoPP. [22/10/2002]
Photograph by Phil Griffiths

Recycling - in the UK and the USA
Today saw the publication of a report emphasising the need for more recycling in the UK in the next few years. Our fellow FOPPs in the USA (Friends of Pennypack Park) even have a web site just dedicated to their recycling activities - www.fopprecycling.org. [21/10/2002]

More progress ...

Clearing of the lily pond was finished today, and work started on the vandalised and derelict pavilion by the tennis courts. [18/10/2002]

Clearing the lily pond

Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers of BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), with assistance from members of FoPP and the council, a major clean-up of the lily pond was carried out on Thursday 17th October. A good deal of junk, old paving slabs etc were removed, and a lot of the rather overgrown water plants were also cleared up. Before work started in the morning, a heron was seen at the pond - after the improvements it may become a regular visitor!

Photograph: we were lucky with the weather, especially in view of the rain earlier in the week. 

On Wednesday we had made the local radio - this time we went one better and were filmed by BBC Midlands Today. Our photograph shows Janet Alderman-Rowe being interviewed while she was working in the pond - the cameraman and interviewer did not venture in though. [17/10/2002]

Photograph: You can't get away from mobile phones anywhere!

Forthcoming events
Thursday 19th December at 7:00pm: carol service adjacent to the Priory ruins, complete with live music and choirs. Look out for more information nearer the time of the event.
Friday 22nd November at 7:30pm : social evening in the banqueting suite at Dudley Town Hall. Entry by ticket only, and only 80 tickets are available, so please apply as soon as possible. Contact telephone 01384 252832. [15/10/2002]

Christmas cards and calendars
We should have Christmas cards and calendars on sale to members soon - look out for more details here when they are available. [15/10/2002]

FoPP on the radio
Three members of the committee of FoPP were interviewed by BBC Radio WM on Tuesday 15 October. Our photograph shows Phil Griffiths, Clayton Thomas and Chris Rich outside Priory Hall being interviewed - cold, wet and windy weather may account for the rather glum expressions of all concerned! [15/10/2002]

Cavaliers and Roundheads - 2003
Apologies for the lack of updates to the web pages in the last few weeks - other activities have interfered. The full photo report on the Cavaliers and Roundheads event has still to be completed, but the event was so successful that something similar, but on a larger scale, is already being planned for 2003, and FoPP has been invited to be involved in the planning. We will publish more details when they are available. [03/10/2002]

Priority Newsletter 4
The new issue of The Priority is now complete and with the printers, and we hope it will reach Friends within the next 10 days. [03/10/2002]

Social Event and Carol Service
There are plans for both a social event and a carol service before Christmas, the former on 22nd November, and the latter at 7:00pm on 19th December near the Priory Ruins. More details will be available in the next issue of The Priority (see above) and on the web site very soon. [03/10/2002]

Restricting car access to Priory Park
There is no doubt that some of the less desirable activities which take place in the park occur in the evenings and over night, and at least some are related to the fact that cars can get into the park via the drive leading to the Register Office at these times. We were very pleased when the Council, following our campaigning,  put a barrier on this drive, but unfortunately, although it has been in place for some weeks, it is still permanently locked open, which makes it entirely pointless! We are continuing to campaign for this barrier to be locked after the Register Office closes, but so far various reasons (excuses?) have been given for why this is still not happening. [03/10/2002]

Cavaliers and Roundheads - 31st August - 1 September
Despite rather low profile advertising of the event, it was a resounding success for all concerned. On the Saturday the main daytime events were in town and at the castle, but in the evening the focus switched to Priory Park, with two bands and a re-enactment by The Sealed Knot of the siege. On Sunday the event was expanded with the arrival of market stalls in the Park and a funfair on the Green. As well as another re-enactment of the siege, The Sealed Knot provided other entertainment, and Dudley Hospital Radio was also on hand to provide commentary and music. After the experience of the noise of the cannon on Saturday night, I brought ear protectors on Sunday! FoPP had its own display of photographs of the Park, competitions and a raffle, and we were delighted by the number of people who came to see us, and the number of new members we were able to enroll. Many thanks to The Sealed Knot for providing such a splendid show, and to all the others who provided entertainment and helped in organising the event. We hope that there will be a repeat next year, and that if there is, it will be blessed with equally good weather.

A preliminary version of our photo report on the event is available - other commitments have delayed completion of the full report - watch this space for information on when the final report is available. [05/09/2002] 

Cavaliers and Roundheads Pageant
The pageant is due to take place over the weekend of 31st August to 1st September. It promises to be an entertaining event, so please come if you can. FoPP will have an exhibition in a tent at the Pageant on both days. The majority of the organised activities of the pageant on the Saturday morning and afternoon take place in Dudley town centre and in St James's Road, with attention transferring to Priory Park and The Green on Saturday evening and Sunday. We hope to have a report and pictures of the event on the web site within a few days. Incidentally, the pressure of work associated with preparing material for out exhibition is the reason for a lack of updates to the web site in the last coouple of weeks. [29/08/2002]

Demolition of the gas substation
The old disused and vandalised gas substation has now been demolished. Further landscaping of the ground, and pruning and replacement of the surrounding bushes, is scheduled to take place within the next few months. [29/08/2002]

Restoration and ..? Monday 12 August 2002: 15:45

  ...  

At the very same time that excellent work is going on to restore the steps in the Rose Garden ...

... others are misusing the ancient monument of The Priory

Another FOPP!
We have discovered another FOPP - Friends of Pennypack Park - but this one is in the USA, and a lot bigger than our FoPP, both in terms of members and the size of their park. They have a web site at http://balford.com/fopp. [09/08/2002]

Cavaliers and Roundheads in Priory Park
"Two days of spectacular fun and merriment on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September. Executions, Coffins, Cannons and Musket fire, skirmishes and sieges, etc". For more details, click here to see our c-and-r.html web page. [08/08/2002]

Recent Improvements
Regular visitors will have noticed that quite a lot of improvements have been made, or are in the process of being made, in the park. The wall around the lily pond has been restored, and the pond itself has been cleared of debris by Park staff and FoPP members. One of the missing tennis court nets has been reinstated, and the fencing around the courts has also been improved. The vandalised steps in the rose garden have been fenced off, and are to be rebuilt very shortly, and the rose garden itself is to be replanted. The vandalised gas sub station, which had become not just an eyesore, but also a centre for various undesirable activities, is to be demolished soon, and plans are being prepared for the demolition of the old, vandalised, pavilion. (Click here for pictures of the substation, rose garden steps, pavilion etc.)

It is still not clear exactly what will take the place of the pavilion, but we understand that the building will house a park keeper. Judging by responses to the survey we recently carried out, it would be appreciated if the opportunity were taken to provide various other facilities in the new building, so that it might serve as a pavilion, location for the keeper, toilets, cafe, area for display of more information about the park and ruins etc: the cost would be higher than for a basic pavilion, but cheaper than providing additional facilities at a later date.

Photograph: The lily pond is free of rubbish - at least temporarily - and the wall has been rebuilt.

We think that it is no coincidence that much needed improvement to the park has started taking place since FoPP was formed and began campaigning actively. The more members we have, the more our views will be listened to, so if you are not already a member, please join us. [08/08/2002]

Newsletter
Issue 3 of "The Priority", FoPP's Newsletter, is nearing completion, and will be distributed to members of FoPP when it has been printed. Membership of FoPP now stands at 193. [08/08/2002]

Survey of users of Priory Park
 FoPP has been helping Dudley Council to conduct a survey of users of Priory Park. We have had an excellent response - around 200 surveys conducted by members of FoPP - and the opinions of those interviewed generally corresponded very closely to the views we have already been expressing. Many thanks to those who took part in the survey, either as interviewees or by agreeing to be interviewed. [29/07/2002]
Photograph: Philip Griffiths interviewing a parent in the play area at the park.

New material for the web page coming soon ...
We hope to be adding several new sections to the web pages soon, including 'A Walk in Priory Park' and a list of printed books etc which refer to Priory Park. [18/07/2002]

New web address
We now have a more memorable, and shorter, web address - http://www.fopp.org.uk (fopp = Friends of Priory Park!).  The old web address will continue to work (the new one simply redirects there), but we hope this will make it easier for those wishing to access our web site. You can also email us via the more convenient address mike@fopp.org.uk. [18/07/2002]

First General Meeting - 9th July 2002
The first General Meeting of The Friends of Priory Park & The Green was held this evening (9th July) at the Duncan Edwards public house. There was an excellent turn out to hear an introduction of the committee members by Chairman Arthur Weston, followed by a summary of what the committee has been doing over the past couple of months. Attention naturally centred on the plans of the Dudley Council to turn over not only Priory Hall but also Priory Park to Dudley College to allow them to build a new Hospitality Training Centre. Although this would bring in external funding, considerable concern was expressed regarding a number of issues, including:

• This might not be the most effective way of using available funds for developing Priory and Castle Wards
•  The College does not necessarily have the appropriate skills to manage a public park (certainly given the state of its own grounds)
• Substantial additional traffic would result
• The terms (including the length of the 50 year lease) do not adequately protect the interest of local people who use the park, either in the short term or the long term.

Although some members were completely opposed to the Council proposals, the majority felt that the sheer lack of detail in these proposals meant that at present the group should remain involved, and seek much more detailed information, provided that in not actively opposing the plans at this stage they would not be allowing the current plans to be implemented without proper discussion. The committee is seeking to get English Heritage to extend coverage to the whole of the Park (Priory Ruins and Priory Hall are already listed), and if this is achieved, this might provide some proper  protection to the Park.

The meeting proved a very useful occasion to make contact with various other local groups with a keen interest in the subject, and as a result it is likely that the 'area of interest' which was initially defined will be extended, and cooperation with other groups will be developed.  [09/07/2002]

The history of Priory Park
We want to add a section to the web pages on the history of the Park. If you have any recollections and/or pictures of the Park and Priory Hall (eg how it was used in World War II), please get in touch.

The Friends of Priory Park was formally established, and a committee formed, at a meeting on the evening of 28th February 2002 - see the Friends web page for more details. [05/03/2002]