Midlands Air Ambulance

The Midlands Air Ambulance, based at Cosford, is a familiar sight overflying Brewood. But, on the morning of 29th April 2010, the noise of the engine was particularly loud and we found the helicopter circling the village before letting down in the field just opposite Brewood Hall. The noise brought out a number of neighbours curious to see what was going on.

The Doctor and Paramedic from the helicopter walked to Brewood Medical Centre, a couple of hundred yards away from the landing site. On this occasion, they didn't airlift their patient but I gather an ambulance attended. Within half an hour, Doctor and Paramedic were airborne again, completing another mission. More pictures.

Midlands Air Ambulance (formerly County Air Ambulance) is a charity which has carried out 30,000 missions since its founding in 1991. The charity receives no Government or Lottery funding and the 5.6 million pound annual running cost of the three 'Eurocopter 135' helicopters is met entirely by the public and local businesses.

'Dancing the Waterways'

Economic Gloom and Political Desperation everywhere but in April and May 2010, Britain's Second City hosted the International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010 (see website).

In the 'Dancing the Waterways' event (more details), four young dancers took a narrow boat from Birmingham to Brewood and back, performing along the route. They gave short, lunchtime performances at Brewood on the 26th and 27th April, before setting off on the return journey to Birmingham.

More pictures.

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

'Thomas' hauling an express train

It's hard to believe but the Reverend Awdrey's creation 'Thomas' is 65 years old in 2010. The celebrations started on the Battlefield Line on 24th April but the main birthday celebration will be on Saturday, 1st May, continuing on the 2nd and 3rd May.

Jan was on hand on the 24th and 25th April, looking after 'Daisy'. More pictures.