#sandwell

[mystery-of-arkham-asylum]

Today is Black Country Day in my part of England. This is the 10th year that it is being celebrated. The Black County is a small area in the West Midlands  made up of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The Black Country gained its name in the mid nineteenth century due to the smoke from the many thousands of ironworking foundries and forges plus also the working of the shallow and 30ft thick coal seams.

(A couple maps below to show the area. Even found one that shows some of the famous, to us at least, locations in the area.)

July 14th was chosen as the date for Black Country Day due to its historical importance, as it was on this day in 1712 that the first steam engine was invented.

The feat of engineering was built in the Black Country, an area that played a huge part in the industrial revolution.

The flag features a chain to represent the manufacturing heritage of the area whilst the upright triangular shape in the background recalls the iconic glass cones and iron furnaces that featured in the architectural landscape of the area. The red and black colours recall the famous description of the Black Country by Elihu Burritt, the American Consul to Birmingham in 1862, that it was "black by day and red by night" owing to the smoke and fires of industry.

Enjoy this silly little song that has been living rent free in my head for years. It shows how we say some things in the Black Country.

[fenris64]

Sandwell cedars, Gabriola Island. BC

[williamsarthur430]

Top Tips for Choosing Skip Hire Services in Sandwell

When tackling a large-scale cleanup or renovation project, one of the most crucial steps is choosing the right skip hire service. Whether you’re decluttering your home, undertaking a significant construction project, or simply dealing with a large amount of waste, selecting a reliable skip hire service in Sandwell can make a huge difference. Here are some essential tips to help you choose the best skip hire service for your needs.

Determine Your Needs

Before you start searching for skip hire services, it’s important to clearly define what you need. Consider the following factors:

Size of the Skip: Skips come in various sizes, from small mini skips to large roll-on-roll-off skips. Estimate the volume of waste you expect to dispose of and choose a skip size that suits your needs. If you’re unsure, many skip hire services offer guidance on selecting the right size.

Type of Waste: Different types of waste may require different handling. For example, general household waste, garden waste, and construction debris each have specific disposal requirements. Ensure the skip hire service you choose can handle the type of waste you need to dispose of.

Duration of Hire: Determine how long you will need the skip. Skip hire services often offer flexible hire periods, from a few days to several weeks. Make sure the service can accommodate your timeline.

Check for Licensing and Compliance

When choosing a skip hire service, verify that they are properly licensed and compliant with local regulations. In the UK, skip hire companies must hold a valid waste carriers license issued by the Environment Agency. This license ensures that the company is authorized to transport and dispose of waste in accordance with legal requirements.

Additionally, ensure that the skip hire service adheres to waste management regulations and follows proper waste disposal procedures. This not only helps in environmental protection but also ensures that your waste is handled responsibly.

Compare Prices and Services

Different skip hire services may offer varying prices and service levels. To ensure you get the best value for your money, it’s important to compare quotes from several companies. Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best. Consider the following when comparing prices:

Inclusions: Make sure you understand what is included in the quoted price. Some services may offer a flat rate that covers delivery, collection, and disposal, while others may have additional charges for certain types of waste or extended hire periods.

Additional Fees: Be aware of any potential extra charges. These could include fees for overweight skips, extended hire periods, or permits if you need to place the skip on public land.

Reviews and Reputation: Research the reputation of each skip hire service by reading customer reviews and testimonials. A company with positive feedback is more likely to provide reliable and satisfactory service.

Consider Environmental Responsibility

Choosing a skip hire service that prioritizes environmental responsibility is important for minimizing the impact of waste disposal. Look for services that:

Recycling Practices: Opt for a service that recycles a significant portion of the waste they collect. Many skip hire companies have recycling facilities and processes in place to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Proper Disposal Methods: Ensure the company uses proper disposal methods for hazardous and non-recyclable materials. This helps prevent illegal dumping and environmental harm.

Verify Delivery and Collection Services

The convenience of skip hire depends not only on the availability of the skip but also on the efficiency of delivery and collection services. When selecting a skip hire service in Sandwell, consider:

Delivery Times: Confirm the delivery times to ensure they align with your project schedule. Some services may offer same-day or next-day delivery, which can be beneficial if you need the skip urgently.

Collection Services: Check the process for arranging collection once you’re done with the skip. Some services offer flexible collection times, while others may require you to schedule a pickup in advance.

Check for Additional Services

Some skip hire companies offer additional services that can be beneficial depending on your needs. These may include:

Permit Assistance: If you need to place the skip on a public road or pavement, you may require a permit from the local council. Some skip hire services can assist with obtaining these permits, saving you time and effort.

Waste Sorting: Certain companies offer waste sorting services to help separate recyclable materials from general waste. This can be a convenient option if you want to ensure a higher rate of recycling.

Ensure Clear Communication

Effective communication with the skip hire service is key to a smooth experience. Ensure that the company provides clear and prompt responses to your inquiries. Discuss your specific requirements, confirm the details of your hire agreement, and clarify any concerns before finalizing the booking.

Review Contract Terms

Before you commit to a skip hire service, carefully review the contract terms. Pay attention to:

Terms and Conditions: Ensure you understand the terms of the hire agreement, including the responsibilities of both parties, payment terms, and any penalties for non-compliance.

Cancellation Policy: Familiarize yourself with the cancellation policy in case your plans change. This will help you avoid unexpected costs if you need to modify or cancel your booking.

Conclusion

Choosing the right skip hire service in Sandwell involves careful consideration of your needs, evaluating the reputation and compliance of potential services, and understanding the costs and terms associated with hiring a skip. By following these tips, you can ensure that you select a skip hire service that meets your requirements, handles your waste responsibly, and provides reliable and efficient service. Whether you’re clearing out your home or managing a large construction project, the right skip hire service can make your task easier and more efficient.

For more information or assistance with skip hire in Sandwell, consider reaching out to local providers who can offer tailored advice and solutions for your specific needs.

[yungkilluaz]

(RMC)

[pianotunerwolverhampton]

Pitch raising and fine tuning a 'Harcourt' Upright Piano dating from the 1930s in Oldbury, Sandwell, Dudley

www.matthewjamesrichards.co.uk

#harcourt #dudley #Oldbury #sandwell #piano #pianist #pianotuner #pianotuning #pianotuners #music #musicians

[jordangarciafoto]

water lily by InderjitNijjer

[top-the-cat]

[ourladyofomega]

Remembering Juan Mendez (Silent Servant, Sandwell District, Jealous God).

📸: Triangle Agency + Modern Matters

[iamlisteningto]

Sandwell District's WHERE NEXT ?

[morethanwords229]

rock and roll saturday night: following the liveblog of the west midlands mayoral race results, accompanied by a smoky martini

[musicmags]

[dustedmagazine]

Sandwell District — Where Next? (The Point of Departure Recording Co.)

It should have been a question. The transcontinental collective known as Sandwell District had been defunct and assumed shuttered for years, its fax machine disconnected, its Situationist International Tumblr since overtaken, when the sudden, unexpected announcement in early 2023 of a reissue effort for 2010’s celebrated Feed-Forward revived interest among the techno faithful. Its key members had been operating independently for long enough that the prospect of a return was sufficiently dim, yet here was proof of life — that the mark of anonymous, forward-thinking dance music from these corners hadn’t yet been buried. Half a year on from the reissue, another curious missive in the form of a compilation and the announcement of a Primavera Sound gig. Something was afoot. “Where next?” should’ve been appended directly with “Why now?”

Instead, it’s an elegy.

Juan Mendez (aka Silent Servant) died alongside fellow Los Angeles artist Luis Vasquez (The Soft Moon) and Mendez’s partner Simone Ling January 18th at the age of 46. Every review of Where Next? you read will address this, so it’s not necessary to belabor its circumstances or the outpouring of grief in its wake, but suffice to say that Mendez was beloved in L.A. and beyond for his work both as a producer — which he was still a master of, as his (ill-)fittingly titled In Memoriam EP out in November on Tresor confirms — and, crucially to Sandwell, its visual language. One of the key components of Sandwell District was its resolute anonymity; for years, if you were buying music off these guys, it was white label 12s with no identification save a stamp of the name and a fax number. Mendez was the one who gave the group that Situationist-inspired aesthetic, lent depth and a difficult but still discernible additional dimension that otherwise may not have been there. In retrospect, it feels like no accident that the zine, the music and the “moment” all collided at the same time; four protagonists with years of experience behind them peaking in simpatico is an exceedingly rare thing in the dance world, and to have it happen as it did was both carefully orchestrated and worth all the praise. Dusted was no exception.

Without Mendez, Sandwell District’s revival now feels precarious, uncomfortable, indeterminate. The remaining core members — Karl O’Connor (aka Regis), Dave Sumner (Function) and Peter Sutton (Female) — must return to and reassess the question of this very compilation, whose existence initially struck me as a cynical money grab but, more charitably and with more consideration, could also have been intended as a siren for something new en route, a way of reminding those who were there and a slap in the face to those who weren’t that this group wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill Tuesday night Berghain residents, this was something else.

And what was that? Take a listen: From 2002 to 2012, a dozen tracks assembled for this comp mine Sandwell District (the label) for a retrospective that graphically displays the production talent at work while still leaving something on the table. The credits here all say “Sandwell District &,” but it’s superfluous; regardless of liner notes, however, the music holds up and you know what you’re getting right from the off with Function’s “Reykjavik,” originally from 2007’s “Isolation” 12”. A wobbling, heavy low end and the lightest touch of hi-hat establish the pulse, with a twinkling alien transmission straight from a 1950s sci-fi movie offering counterweight. It’s the crashing handclap and subsequent, seemingly endless decay at 30 seconds that really wakes you up, though — like the uneasy ambiance, a familiar trope of the group’s oeuvre but one forever deployed with the deftest of touches.

“Reykjavik” is one of the two earliest songs from this compilation; the other, CH-Signal Laboratories (8003 Lucerne)’s “Hypnotica Scale (Original Mix),” preceded it in ‘07 and was originally titled simply as “Scale 1 (Original Mix).” It’s a rolling IDM number that feels more primitive, less cognizant than the productions that would follow in its use of space in your headphones. It’s also arguably the thinnest track here from one of the few names in Sandwell’s history that was never fully declassified but to my ears sounds like Sumner’s work.

As the most prominent faces of the collective (Mendez was reticent and Sutton all but invisible at the group’s peak), O’Connor and Sumner often seemed to be the ones with the heaviest hands in final output, too — consider Sumner did the final Fabric mixdown, for instance. The balance gets partly redressed here: O’Connor gets credit for two songs and two edits; Sumner gets five songs (six if you count CH-Signal); Mendez gets four; and Sutton gets a song and a remix under the Kalon alias, which he shared alongside Karl Meier, a fellow member of O’Connor’s Birmingham-based Downwards posse. It works to great effect; if you hadn’t known this was a compilation spanning half a decade and not a cohesive album from a single set of sessions, nothing gives it away. Both sequencing and pace are thoughtfully examined as the album obliterates your speakers at the proper volume and eventually rolls into the station after some 70 minutes with the only song that really lets you up for air, “Inter.”

Still, questions remain. Timing aside, foremost among them is why this comp starts with tracks from 2007 and not 2002; that’s scything half of the label’s existence out of the picture, and it’s not like “Untergang” or “Cally 2” are much the worse for wear at this remove. More pointedly, why are any singles missing at all? A double or triple LP either mixed to its constituents’ satisfaction or arranged chronologically would’ve been equally potent.

Another question: Wherefore art thou, Rrose? Like Meier, Yves de May and Bob Ostertag, Seth Horvitz existed on the outskirts of the District, only entering the frame in Feed-Forward’s wake — but it feels grossly unjust to neglect Rrose’s contributions in particular as the label wound down and its members moved on. What I said at the time of “Merchant of Salt” stands: Sandwell’s methods were perhaps best executed by an outsider who subsequently struck out into more experimental lands, extending the spirit of the collective’s reach beyond the vision of its original members; in a way, Rrose alone best answered the question posed by this compilation, which only makes their absence more conspicuous.

As with everything else swirling about Sandwell District, explanations will trickle out as glyphs or remain scant, incomplete, perhaps even contradictory. Maybe we won’t know for weeks or months; maybe we will never know. This is all part and parcel of the operation, which remains fun for the sake of intrigue but as listeners can only really leave us to trust our ears and hearts. Scrape away the calcified grayscale complexion, then, and you have what lies beyond the questions — you have the real answer, the one that matters most. Did I say elegy? Sorry, I meant panegyric. Long may it be heard.

Patrick Masterson

[molkolsdal]

Dump

[pianotunerwolverhampton]

Tuning an excellent 'Steck: Upright Piano dating from 1935 in Wednesbury, Sandwell

#piano #pianist #pianotuner #pianotuning #music #Wednesbury #Sandwell

[saramencken]

SANDWELL DISTRICT FEED FORWARD