Caldmore Residents’ Action Group

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In September 1970, a handful of people with various interests in the Caldmore area called an open meeting of residents at Trinity Methodist Hall in Corporation Street, to which local councillors were also invited. It was expected that about twenty locals would attend but instead the turnout was over 100. The public forum brought together residents who felt disillusioned and frustrated with their housing and environmental conditions.

As a group they could apply more effective pressure on the local authority and the Caldmore Residents Action Group (CRAG) was formed with Bertram Blower in the Chair. Walter Brown was appointed as Treasurer, Billy Baldwin as Secretary and Barrie Blower (son of Bertram) was responsible for publicity. The front room of Mr and Mrs Blower’s house became an office and drop-in centre for CRAG.

The CRAG committee was a group of local people with a shared concern for the Caldmore area rather than professionals working within building or planning. The Chairman had a background of Trade Union work. CRAG was able to press for Council action on larger environmental issues such as the clearance of rat-infested wasteland between Victor Street, Spout Lane and Bescot Street. This site had been cleared of buildings in 1967 and because it had remained undeveloped for three years, was being used as a place to dump rubbish. (Evening Mail, 18th September 1970)

CRAG formed five area committees and was funded by voluntary donations. Street representatives collected sixpence (2½ pence) each Friday night from residents in their area. The Chairman and Secretary of the area committees sat on the executive committee.

CRAG organised a four-day Caldmore Village festival during April 1972 with street theatre, markets, carnival procession and fireworks.

As a consequence of CRAG raising the profile of the area, Caldmore became Walsall’s first General Improvement Area (GIA) in 1972. The Council committee chairman was Cllr Brian Powell. On October 30, 1972 £256,000 was approved by Walsall Council to improve streets, community services and 470 houses; but by 2 December 1974 The Evening Mail reported, ‘that only about 80 modernisations had been completed’.

 

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