February 10, 2013

Acocks Green Library – Temporary Closure – POSTPONED AGAIN – until further notice library is OPEN as normal!!!!

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The long awaited essential roof repairs to Acocks Green Library have now been given the go-ahead. The Library will close on Saturday 13th May, and is scheduled to re-open in September. Books can be returned to any other branch library during this time.

To compensate for the closure, the nearest alternative – South Yardley Library, will have extended opening hours.  South Yardley library is just before the Swan Island, less than 10 minutes from Acocks Green village on the no.11 bus.  For more information on the services available at South Yardley Library click HERE

The Neighbourhood Office will also be closed. The nearest alternative office is Stechford Customer Service Centre. Many enquiries can be dealt with on the phone or online. For more information click HERE

1932, Much excitement at the Grand Opening of Acocks Green Library

Much excitement at the Grand Opening of Acocks Green Library 1932

Councillor Iain Bowen’s Advice Bureau will remain in the Scout Hut on Spring Road (behind Scanlon’s) until the Library is reopened. It runs every Monday evening (except Bank Holidays) between 7pm and 8pm.  The over 50s coffee mornings will continue to run from the Scout Hut.

 

April 15, 2013

Acocks Green Village in Bloom Launched

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There was a great turn-out of volunteers on Saturday 13th April to launch the Village in Bloom 2013 entry, and for once it was warm and sunny.  Box hedging was planted as well as holly and hawthorn hedging and a variety of herbs. The focus of the Village in Bloom this year is edible plants, so it is appropriate that this year we have had the addition of the wonderful Mallard Community Orchard to Acocks Green. Nine fruit trees have been planted as well as fruit bushes. There is lots more work to do around the village, to make it more attractive, not just with gardening, but tidying, painting and repairs. A friendly bunch of volunteers meet most Wednesdays and Sundays and new volunteers are always welcome. Find out more on the Village in Bloom page.

sowing wild flower seeds for a natural meadow effect

sowing wild flower seeds for a natural meadow effect

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Volunteers celebrating the launch of Village in Boom

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A hive of activity! Thanks to all the volunteers

At last! Spring has sprung. Daffodils planted by volunteers in AG

At last! Spring has sprung. Daffodils planted by volunteers in AG

 

 

 

April 4, 2013

RHS Edible Britain launching in Acocks Green – Saturday 13th April

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Acocks Green is celebrating the nationwide launch of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom 2013 in its newly created orchard in Mallard Close, slap bang in the middle of two blocks of shops, on Saturday 13th April starting at 10 am – come along to find out more.

Many local people have already been involved by planting fruit trees including apple, plum and damson and a ‘jam hedge’ but volunteers shall be adding to this by sowing seeds provided by the RHS to produce an array of herbs including thyme, chives and rosemary which everyone can pick and eat in future.

Blooming Flowers encouraging bees, planted in Acocks Green 2012

Blooming Flowers encouraging bees, planted in Acocks Green 2012

Fran Lee the co-ordinator of Acocks Green Village in Bloom says that this project has been very popular with locals creating an edible oasis on what used to be a derelict piece of land full of rubble, sweet wrappers and car parts!

Stephanie Eynon, RHS Community Horticulture Manager, said

Britain in Bloom isn’t just about pretty hanging baskets brightening up gloomy streets, it’s about improving the environment, enhancing lives and bringing communities together through gardening. Edible Britain’ will see new public herb and vegetable gardens planted across the UK, bringing access to tasty produce to thousands.

Each year more than 200,000 people devote almost 4.4 million hours to enhancing their community through Britain in Bloom, saving the country thousands of pounds.  On average groups plant 115,000 trees, 352,000 shrubs and 21.6 million plants and bulbs each year.

Anybody can set up or join their nearest group by typing in their postcode into an online map found at www.rhs.org.uk/getinvolved For more information regarding Acocks Green Village in Bloom, please contact Fran Lee at Acocks Green Village in Bloom on 0121 706 0076/e.mail: fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk . New volunteers are always welcome.

AG Village in Bloom2 small

 

March 28, 2013

Yardley Arts Weekend – Easter Weekend

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Arts in the Yard (Yardley Arts Forum) and Blakesley Hall are working in partnership to offer a free arts weekend at Blakesley Hall in Yardley. It has been kindly funded by South Yardley Community First, through the Community Development Foundation.

Blakesely Hall photo: Birmingham Heritage Forum

Blakesley Hall           photo: Birmingham Heritage Forum

It will include music workshops, drawing and painting, dance performances, storytelling, craft activities, group sculputre a treasure hunt and art gallery

It runs on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st March from 12 til 4pm. It is easily accessible by no.11 bus, about 2 miles walk from Acocks Green.

For further information you can contact Blakesley Hall on 0121 464 2193

 

March 27, 2013

Easter Holiday Activities in Acocks Green

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House of Play and Education - a  Children’s Activity centre and registered charity, have some fun things on this Easter to amuse the kids, click on image below to enlarge:

easter activities (1)-page-0

They also have an Easter Holiday Club running at St Edmunds Church in Tyseley, click below to enlarge:

Easter 13 Leaflet-page-001

 

March 25, 2013

Birmingham Adult Education Courses in Acocks Green – starting in April *** enrol this week ***

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The are some interesting and varied courses proposed at Stone Hall Adult Education starting in April. The subjects and lengths of courses vary from a few weeks to 10 weeks and include such subjects as Art Appreciation, On-Line Marketing for your Small Business, Clothes Making, Nail Art, Workskills, Music Technology, as well as First Step Computers and English and Maths skills. Call into the centre for the new programme or give them a ring -  tel: 0121 464 9150

stone hall

You can also have a look at the full list of courses citywide on the Birmingham Adult Education Service website:

BAES website

 

March 17, 2013

Big Dig Day – Mallard Community Orchard

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Thanks to all the locals who came along to Mallard Community Orchard on Saturday 16th March to take part in the first ever Big Dig, a national campaign to encourage community gardening and growing food together. Despite the cold and drizzle, lots of volunteers got stuck into the digging and 7 fruit trees were planted as well as fruit bushes, including blackcurrants and an unusual edible honeysuckle. After 4 months of hard digging the orchard is nearly complete.  Whilst working on the land the volunteers have found a selection of buried ‘treasure’ which was put on a display table, and is now known as The Acocks Green Hoard.

Thanks to The Spread Eagle  and The Swan Trio who supplied refreshments to the thirsty gardeners.  Also thanks to all the locals who came to say hello and express their interest and support. There is still lots more gardening and tidying work to do as part of the Village in Bloom and new volunteers are always welcome.  Here is a selection on photos from the day, if anyone else has some to share,  please get in touch.

Digging holes for the fruit trees

The famous Acocks Green Hoard

The famous Acocks Green Hoard

Enjoying the mud

Enjoying the mud

 

March 8, 2013

Community Supporters

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A Big Thanks goes to West Midlands Police this week for their donation to Acocks Green’s Village in Bloom Campaign.  On Wednesday Sgt. Mark Fellows from Acocks Green Neighbourhood Police Team presented a cheque of £833 to the campaign.  The funding is from the Police Property Act Fund, this is money raised from property which comes into the possession of the police in connection with a crime and where the owner cannot be found and helps to fund many worthwhile community projects.

Volunteers - Phil, Fran and Ann being presented cheque from Sgt Fellows and PCSO Large

Sgt Mark Fellows presents a cheque to Fran Lee, co-ordinator of Village in Bloom. Also pictured PCSO Kevin Large and volunteers Phil Harten and Ann Clarke

Village in Bloom is a project to improve the look of our village with planting, tidying and instilling a pride in our local environment. In July official judges will come to see our improvements. Last year was the first time our village was entered and we received a Bronze Award. You can see more photos and information about the project here

At the forefront of the Village in Bloom project is the soon to be planted orchard in Mallard Close. This piece of land that has been derelict for nearly 50 years is being transformed into a community orchard with a variety of fruit trees and shrubs and a raised circular brick herb bed. Thanks to the dedication and hardwork of volunteers the back-breaking work to clear the site of couch grass, weeds, rubble and 50 years of litter is nearing completion.  Tree and shrub planting will be taking place during The Big Dig Event on Saturday 16th March between 10-12 noon. Local people are welcome to come along and help.

Thanks is also due to the local buidling company EH Smith. They kindly donated the bricks and gravel for the herb bed and path. Also thanks to Food Forest Brum an organisation that supports community gardening, as they have kindly donated a selection of fruit trees for us to plant.

Volunteers meet Wednesdays and Sundays at 10am in the Green to work on improving the look of the village by gardening, tidying and painting.  New volunteers are always very welcome to join the team.

 

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