AN ARTIST and historian have teamed up to give people a new insight into Cradley Heath.

Renowned artist Fran Wilde and local historian Vicki Darby Smith are holding walks and a picnic to explore the past and the present of the town.

On Saturday Mrs Wilde will conducting her tour Walk The High Street from 11am.

She said: “Cradley Heath has such a rich history which is there for the looking, and it’s layered over by its present day condition.

“It’s the combination of the past and the present that interests us.“ She added: “The walks are about considering the evidence along the way and discussing what we see.”

Mrs Darby Smith’s tour Walk the Vale, Mousesweet Brook which includes a winter picnic, is being held on Saturday, November 9 at 11am.

She said: “Walk the Vale, Mousesweet Brook is a visual walk with a winter picnic where people talking part can expect to uncover startling aspects of the history of this quiet area, all set in winter decay.

“The walk offers straightforward visual activities for looking and enquiring, for seeing things in a different way.

“Whether you are a hardened artist or can only draw stick men you’ll discover something new. And then the winter picnic will add something special to it all.”

The walks start at 11am at Cradley Heath Station and for more information visit www.cradleyheathwalks.wordpress.com.