Illuminations
Walsall Illuminations u-turn
27 Jan 10 15:45 Filed in: News | News-Walsall
Walsall Illuminations u-turn
Adam Lumley TheYamYam 18 Jan 10
Lights off, lights on, lights off, lights on again
Leader of Walsall Council, Mike Bird, has announced that the popular illuminations will not be axed after all. This latest council u-turn comes just two days after the news broke of the council’s plans to scrap the annual event.
In an e-mail to all council staff, Councillor Bird claimed that media statements reporting the end of the line for the illuminations were “totally untrue” and “irresponsible”. “Let’s be absolutely clear on this – Walsall Illuminations are not being scrapped,” he said.
“While the Arboretum Restoration Project is underway there will not be an event but we have never said the event is not coming back. To suggest otherwise has caused a great deal of upset within Walsall – as well as further afield.
“No-one is saying that any future events will be an exact replica of what has been done previously but our commitment to the illuminations is clear.”
On Saturday, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Barry Sanders, said: “The council’s budget is under tremendous pressure and there is no likelihood of the old style illuminations making a reappearance. The days have gone when people wanted to go and see a few flashing lights.
“We are in discussions with several parties over the sale of our old illuminations boards.”
Last week, the council announced that it had secured a £4.7million Heritage Lottery Fund grant to restore the bandstand and boathouse in the Arboretum but still needs to find £2.9million in match funding. The future of the only municipal golf course in the borough is still in doubt as the Grange golf course on the Arboretum extension is likely to be another victim of council cuts.
Speculation is rife that following this latest gaffe, a cabinet re-shuffle is imminent, possibly before the next round of local elections in May. Councillor Sanders represents Paddock ward which contains the Arboretum extension but not the Arboretum itself which lies in St Matthews ward.
The Plastic Hippo 22 Jan 10 Comment: Illuminatus…illegitimus…hippopotamus…
Black Country Kid 27 Jan 10 Comment: What a light mess
Walsall Advertiser 27 Jan Light at end of the tunnel to reignite town illuminations
Express & Star 23 Jan 10 Walsall illuminations to stay in Bridgnorth for two years
Express & Star 20 Jan Hope for Walsall Illuminations?
Express & Star 18 Jan Dim view of end for town’s Illuminations
Walsall Council 18 Jan Illuminations will be back
Ben Lammas Express & Star 16 Jan Walsall Illuminations scrapped completely
Stymaster Pig Blog 16 Jan 10 Comment: The lights go out
Black Country Kid 16 Jan 10 Comment: Darkness falls on Walsall
Mercury 17 Jan 10 Illuminations scrapped
B’ham Mail 11 Jan Walsall Arboretum’s £4.7m Heritage Lottery Fund grant approved
Express & Star 21 Nov Walsall Illuminations will add sparkle to Bridgenorth
Express & Star 20 July Arboretum revamp back on track
Express & Star 5 Feb Arbo lights to be switched off
Walsall Council Illuminations