2004 Events

Saturday 11th December 2004:

Many thanks to everyone who supported our stall at the event  held in Palfrey Park on the afternoon and evening of Saturday 11th December. We do like to meet you! We're delighted to have been asked to attend. 

November 2004 - we celebrate 35 years of Samaritans in WalsallWe were delighted to be able to re-open our newly refurbished charity shop in Bloxwich High Street in time for our anniversary celebrations. 

The Mayor of Walsall, Councilor Mike Bird, came to officiate at the re-launch. A queue of customers were waiting outside long before opening time, and many were eager to make purchases as soon as we opened.

Sales on the first day were good, and we can only hope that all the hard work put in by volunteers will be rewarded by ensuring that the shop continues to be able to contribute vital funds Samaritans' work in Walsall and the surrounding areas.

Shoppers, volunteers and supporters were treated to celebratory drinks and snacks on the opening day.

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This year's party for volunteers was held on the weekend of our 35th anniversary, and volunteers present and past met at the centre to reflect on the events of the past 35 years. There were many recollections of colleagues, friends and supporters, challenges met, and successes achieved.Presentations were made to three volunteers who have been members of the branch since it first started in November 1969, when the branch was located in two rooms above a community hall in Glebe Street.

West Midlands Co-op honoured our history of local volunteering by funding a celebratory buffet.

Classic Car lovers start here!

South East Staffs Branch of The Morris Minor Owners Club invited us to their annual Rally on September 19th at the Museum of Cannock Chase. As the event was also doubling up as the Regional Rally, there were plenty of fine old motors to please enthusiasts. The MMOC made us very welcome. 

The event was a chance for us to meet new people and "build bridges". 

The most coveted prize on our tombola stall was a model "Moggie" (if your not an enthusiast of bygone motoring that's not a cat, but a pet name for the Morris Minor!)

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Bloxwich Carnival, Saturday August 7th, 2004

We were happy to be part of the annual festivities in King George's playing fields again this year - and what a brilliant day it was! The sun shone non-stop. 

If you missed us at the Carnival, don't forget our Samaritans Shop is in Bloxwich High Street.

Celebrating 24:7

On the 24th day of the 7th month, we took the opportunity  to remind everyone that Samaritans is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. 

We told how by working together in local cluster groups we ensure there are volunteers on duty day and night to offer confidential emotional support at times of crisis and despair on 08457 909090, and that if talking is difficult, an email to jo@samaritans.org will be replied to by a trained volunteer, usually within 24 hours.

The other branches working in the local cluster with Walsall & District at that time were  Brierley Hill, Tamworth, and Wolverhampton. Between these four branches we maintained 24 hour coverage of our phone lines for callers from the local area and further afield

Samaritans was probably the first telephone 'helpline' when it began in 1953, and remains one of very few offering 24 hour availability with no recorded messages.

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Pelsall Carnival, Saturday 3rd July, 2004

We were pleased to have a stall at this annual show. After a dodgy start, the weather decided to be kind and it turned out to be a warm and sunny day, if a little breezy at times! Thanks to everyone who visited our stall - good to meet you.

Our Regional Conference, June 2004:

 Five delegates from Walsall & District Branch attended this year's Regional Conference, "Back To The Future", which looked at changes in Samaritans over the last 50 years, compared with the way things are now, and the way things may change in the coming years. It was a challenging and thought-provoking experience with quite a lot of hard work, but a good sprinkling of fun too. As our picture shows, you never know who you might meet at a Samaritans event...

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Bank Holiday Monday 31st May  2004:

What a great day we had in Palfrey Park! The weather was lovely, and so were all the people who visited our stall, whether to ask us about Samaritans, pick up some leaflets, just to chat with us, or to make a donation or have a go on our "Pluck a Duck". We really enjoyed ourselves and hope you did too! Perhaps we'll see some of you again at another event. Our events page has news of other venues we're hoping to attend, and of Information Evenings for anyone interested in finding out about volunteering with Samaritans in the Walsall area. Come to our next stall, and you too could win a prize! Come to our next Information Evening, and you could be on your way to gaining invaluable training and experience as a Samaritans Volunteer.

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Baton Run - February 6th & 7th:

To mark Samaritans 50th anniversary year, a commemorative baton inscribed with the names of all 17 branches in our region (West Midlands and North Wales) is being passed from branch to branch.  The journey started at Birmingham and the baton will be returning there in March. Walsall received the baton from Stafford at the end of January and passed it on to Tamworth on 7th February. On the way there we called in at a number of pubs where the licensees had given us permission to collect for funds. We'd like to thank them, and everyone who donated, and to say how much we enjoyed the event - as ever a great opportunity to meet people and talk!

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