Independence Day for Books in Walsall

How many independent book retailers are there in Walsall?  Not many I can think of, although I’m certain there are some somewhere. That’s the trouble if I’m honest about this. I don’t have the time to go looking for shops unless I know they’re there, and I usually just look up a book on Amazon if I want it. I’m not given to browsing through shelves of books. It’s a dying art when my phone can tell me everything about the book (well, the bits that make it to Wikipedia, anyway).

Great news for people like me who are bookish but not bookshoppish. A NEW ONE IS COMING!

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Christmas. Carols. Beer. Excellent.

It’s been in my diary for a little while now, but I’d like to take this opportunity to plug Ales Beers and Carols 2013 again. What a fantastic opportunity to drink beer and sing carols. For a concept, this one scores highly for simplicity and ease of execution.

Ales Beers and Carols 2013

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie.

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,

The silent stars go by.

Less silent though the clink of glass,

In Walsall pubs this year.

As we sing carols and have fun,

While also drinking beer!

Social Media Social

Right then, time to get this Social Media Surgery looking like a holiday activity club.

We’re meeting in August at the Black Country Arms on Wednesday 14th, at about half six. We’re not running a traditional surgery, although advice and help will be on tap as usual, but we will be chilling out, sampling the fine range of ales and other beverages available, and having a bit of a relax.

Only a number

Age. It’s only a number. Today’s number is 12180.

Walsall Social Media Surgery – Future Dates

With the recent Social Media Surgery at the Black Country Arms, we met more people, drank beer, talked tech and generally assisted people who want to improve their skills and knowledge. I’m very grateful to fellow surgeons Dan Slee and Jimm Rennie for their sterling work.

It’s no great secret I love this activity – helping other people more or less to help themselves to the social media tools they need for their voluntary org, non profit, or their personal online activity.

So, coming up:

Right then, let’s sing some carols. In pubs.

Hurrah! We’re back singing carols in pubs this year.

The Lazy Hill – Aldridge. We’re here on Friday December 14th, from about half eight, singing carols and drinking beers.

The Black Country Arms – Walsall. Tuesday December 18th and we’re in Walsall doing much the same.

The White Lion – Walsall. Thursday December 20th is our last date for a final pint or two and a bit of carol singing to boot.

PLUS… I’ve recently heard some lovely people are taking over the reins at The Wheatsheaf. We’ll sing there too if we can find the time.

If you click on the pub names, you can see the location of the pub and register your intention to attend via Eventbrite. You don’t need to register to attend, it’s just me trying out something to see what uptake is like. The map and address, however, might be useful to you.

The small print:

We’re singing carols and drinking beer. You may choose to drink wine or even go non-alcoholic, but the point is to have fun and sing carols. If you get really drunk and behave badly at the very least you’ll regret it in the morning, so please don’t. The pubs are letting us wander in and do some singing. They and their staff deserve the due respect. It’s Christmas. I’m not suggesting you tip heavily, but all that loose change will weigh you down otherwise, eh?

Brew Club and the Market Tavern

I went to brewclub on Thursday night. It’s a group of local homebrewers with big talk and big vats.