‘Together We Bloom’, Photography, Art and Poetry Exhibition took place on Sunday 14th September at the Willenhall Chart Community Hub, together with Willenhall in Focus C.I.C and Willenhall Growing Together with a mission to promote growth, healing, community, creativity, purpose and mindset.    

This event was championed by Tal Singh of Soul Brite Seva CIC and supported by other Community Champions including former Willenhall solicitor Ian Henery who is now host of The Ian Henery Show on Black Country Xtra.  

Tal Singh welcomed everyone coming together despite the weather.  Sureena Brackenridge MP of Wolverhampton North East (pictured)  had also come to speak and support the event.

Wolverhampton Poet Laureate - Kuli Kohli, Poet and actress Katie Victoria and Poet and publisher Hugh Ashton of j-views Publishing all read their thought provoking poetry including Ian Henery from Black Country Xtra.  

Sureena Brackenridge MP and Tal Singh had previolusly been guests on The Ian Henery Show on Black Country Xtra.   Earlier this year Sureena, Tal and Ian had collaborated on the first ever New invention Summer Fair at The Milestone in New Invention, Willenhall which was a free event for all the community.  

Jack Sparra sponsored and co-ordinated the rooms at the Willenhall Chart Centre which serves the community for a wide range of uses.  Originally organised to be an outdoor event enjoying the community garden space the weather was forecast for heavy rain, but did that stop them? Not at all.  The community still came  in the pouring rain, together to celebrate creativity and the beautiful things that a community working together can produce. 

Cllr Chris Bott, Deputy Mayor of Walsall came with her husband was really impressed with everything that had been organised and all the art that was presented.

Councillor Klara Margetts and Natalie Latham Councillor for Willenhall South sponsored and put on an amazing buffet whilst Louis Gill served tea and coffee in coffee, in mugs which no one was expecting but was a nice, comforting surprise.  Trevor Latham of Willenhall in Focus CIC and Wolverhampton Photographer Graham Stubbs videoed and photographed the event.

Lisa Peters-Sherwood and Rosco Bentley provided art pieces from both the Cubs and the Lets Hang out Youth Zone, showcasing the talent of the younger members of the community. Michelle Sleigh of the Cosy Corner and St Giles School bought wonderful art pieces and Willenhall History and Heritage Society bought nostalgic photos of the town.

Anthony Jefferson Hanson also came to showcase his larger than life paintings that wowed us all.