December 14, 2012
The weather forecast looks mild and dry for the last Acocks Green market day of 2012. There will be over 25 stalls to mooch around so come on down to the village to pick up some bargains. There will also be a community stall and there is an exclusive, first time ever - Acocks Green Calendar on sale, pubished by Acocks Green Focus Group .
photo courtesy of Acocks Green BID
October 28, 2012
Everyone in the area is welcome to our next Public Meeting this Tuesday at 7.30pm. The venue is the usual – the Baptist Church Hall on Yardley Road, close to the Police Station.
Autumn colours, Woodcock Lane, Acocks Green
There will be guests speakers from the West Midlands Police Security Partnership Team and The Fire Service. It is an opportunity to find out more about what is going on in your area and speak directly to local organisations. Les Williams from Waste Management will be on hand with any concerns as well as our local councillors. Come along for a cuppa, a chance to chat to other local people and share concerns and neighbourhood news.
September 21, 2012
We hope that residents noticed the great improvements in the look of the village in the last few months with floral enhancements and general tidying up. For the first time Acocks Green Village was entered into the Britain in Bloom competition, under the ‘Urban Category’. Many locals helped tidy and plant up flowerbeds, weed overgrown reservations and encourage people to take a pride in their surroundings. Businesses and the council helped by repairing crumbling walls and dealing with dumped rubbish. The whole project was overseen with the vision, dedication and tireless hardwork and enthusiasm of local resident and RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) volunteer – Fran Lee.
In July the Britain in Bloom judges toured our centre to look at the work that the volunteers had put into improving the village and this month medals were awarded to community groups around the country. Britain in Bloom is an initiative organised by the Royal Horticultural Society in which communities can illustrate their civic pride by enhancing their local area.
In towns and cities, most of the input comes from the local authority but does involve schools and communities whereas those entries from villages, urban areas and neighbourhoods are mainly organised by volunteers.
Our region is organised by The Heart of England in Bloom which has formed a panel of judges who visit each entry usually in July to judge each entry. Nowadays it is not all about flowers although Horticultural Achievement does attract 40% of the marks. This year, the RHS asked entrants to plant wild flowers or single flowering plants as pollinators for our ailing bee population. The team of volunteers planted lots of these in Acocks Green this year. ‘In Bloom’ is also about maintenance of the fabric of an area, keeping it litter and graffiti free, keeping the street furniture in good condition and the fabric of the area, for example keeping walls in good repair. Another important element is to encourage community spirit. People are brought together by working on projects in their area. It also encourages communities to come together to raise funds for projects but also for charity.
Acocks GreenVillage gained a Bronze award which was a first for the village. Also Cottesbrooke Junior School gained Bronze and Acocks Green Primary School gained Silver in the School Grounds campaign. In Fox Hollies, they gained Outstanding and Pemberley Road gained Thriving in the Neighbourhood Awards.
These Bloom initiatives are deemed to be very important in creating a better society for the future by bringing people together to take pride in their area.
If you are interested in becoming involved in future Bloom projects in Acocks Green then contact the BID Manager Sandy Gianni by email: agvbid@gmail.com
July 23, 2012
*******UPDATE**********The Village in Bloom judges are in Acocks Green this Thursday 26th July. The tireless, enthusiastic and green-fingered Fran Lee and other volunteers have been working hard to make Acocks Green look more colourful and tidy. Look out for them in their High Viz jackets and if you have any spare time to help then just have a word with them or contact Fran on the number below. This is an ongoing project to make our village a more pleasant environment to shop, work and live.
Acocks Green Village has been entered into the Urban category of Britain in Bloom, with the full support of Sandy Gianni our BID (Business Improvement District) Manager.
Nowadays Britain in Bloom is not just about flowers. One important factor is the community element. This project is bringing together The Council, Residents’ Associations and volunteers in general who understand the need to enhance our village to ensure that it is a pleasant place in which to do their shopping. Entrants into ‘In Bloom’ tell us that part of the enjoyment is meeting like-minded people with civic pride.
Fran Lee and other volunteers working hard to clear weeds
Another very important element is Environment Responsibility. The council along with Amey have undertaken to replace or repaint benches, replace bins which cope wth cigarette butts and to deep clean the pavements. It is also working towards banishing litter and graffiti.
Volunteers have gardened together, firstly on the central reservation to improve its appearance before our first Farmers’ Market. The ‘Blooming’ Coalition was apparent as Iain Bowen (Lib/Dem) and John O’Shea (Labour) assisted with some challenging tasks and other volunteers worked for hours in pouring rain to achieve our goals.
Volunteers tidying the beds ready for planting on The Green
Let’s pull together and put the ‘Village’ back into Acocks Green!
Contact: Fran Lee, Heart of England in Bloom – Part of R.H.S. Britain in Bloom e mail fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk 0121 706 0076
May 1, 2012
Grants of £250 to £2500 are available for community groups and not-for-profit organisations who want to make a real difference in Acocks Green.
Westley Vale Millennium Green in Spring
Are you interested in starting a project that will do any of the following?
If you have something in mind, apply as soon as you can.
The application form and everything you need to know is on the Community First website:
http://thecommunityfirst.net/acocksgreen/
For all the information you need please click on the link.
October 29, 2011
Great news was announced on Friday, a YES vote won the recent ballot to make Acocks Green a Business Improvement District (BID). The BID goes live in January, whereby businesses pay into a central fund to improve the village. This in turn helps improve visitor numbers and therefore more successful shops and businesses. Outlined below are more of the expected outcomes of a BID -
A thriving business community that:
Acocks Green Village. Photograph courtesy of Birmingham Mail
Thanks to all those that helped arrange and champion the BID which will last for at least 5 years. Thanks especially goes to Melinda Brown, Town Centre Manager, who worked hard to make the BID a success and has worked closely with the Neighbourhood Forum over the years. We wish her farewell and success for her future, as her job role officially comes to an end on 31st October.
More information about Acocks Green BID is available at the link below.
https://sites.google.com/site/acocksgreenbid/home/announcements/businessessayyestobid
October 22, 2011
Local music-lovers took the opportunity to attend the October Swansong concert at Acocks Green Library, on Wednesday 12th at 7.30pm. The concert was attended by approximately 50 folk to enjoy a performance by The Linnaeus Baroque Ensemble, which featured Linnea Markgren, soprano, Lucia Capellaro, baroque cello, and Sara Wilander, harpsichord, all dressed in contemporary costumes.
The Linnaeus Baroque Ensemble performing at Acocks Green Library
With two members of the trio originating from Sweden, the excellent performance of the Baroque period included works by the Swedish composers H.P. Johnson, W.De Fesch and J.H.Roman, as well as the English compositions by G.F. Handel and H.Purcell.
The professional rendition by both harpsichord and cello, was superbly complimented by the exquisite singing, in Swedish, Italian and English, all word perfect with no reliance on the musical score or song sheet.
This performance appeared to have been enjoyed equally by the audience and performers and, with a delightful encore, we look forward to their return visit.
The next Swansong musical evening is on 23rd November at 7.30pm and features the CBSO Players, whose performance will include Arensky’s Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov’s string sextet. Tickets are free and available from the library
October 16, 2011
Edel Brangan is hoping there will be plenty of interest in the Warwick University English Certificate course in Acocks Green and enough people will sign up so the course can run.
This is a part-time, day-time, first year degree level course. Students joining these courses, which can work like mini ‘Access’ courses, may be considered later for a place on a degree course at a top university
– eight students last year gained a place – or they may study on these friendly two hour weekly ‘Certificate’ courses purely for interest and fun. Fees are £300 for the year or £200 concessionary rate.
Edel Brangan hoping to study a Warwick University English Class in Acocks Green this autumn
Edel said:
“I was really interested when I saw this course advertised. I think it is a fantastic opportunity to study a subject, locally, at degree level, especially at this price, and the Taster Session was great fun. I signed up on the spot”
On Julia Larden’s Saturday morning course (10.30-12.30) students will receive an introduction to the study of all the main branches of English Literature (novels,poetry and drama) at degree level. This course will take an ‘intertextual’ approach looking at the ways in which different literary texts can relate to, and run a debate with, one another. Why should we read Ian McEwan’s Atonement alongside L. P. Hartley’s The Go-Between, for example, or how did Wilfred Owen & Co in the trenches of the First World War react to Keats and Shelley?
Helen Maher who already has the English Certificate, but was now hoping to study for the History Certificate said:
“I have completed two Open Studies Certificate courses that have been the most well taught and engaging further education courses I have ever attended. I found both courses fascinating and it is wonderful that I was able to access these courses locally. Not only are the courses a pleasure to study in themselves but there is also the unique opportunity of using them as the basis to progress to the Part Time Degree course at Warwick University.”
For more information click here
or call University of Warwick, Open Studies, on 024 7615 1155.
October 3, 2011
Birmingham City Council have launched a major initiative designed to help promote independent retailers in Acocks Green and across the city.
The People Make Places campaign will help to promote local shopping areas, focusing on the independent shops. Central to the Birmingham initiative is the introduction of a free special card, known as the B Card, which will give Birmingham residents special offers and discounts at participating independent businesses during the month of October.
Acocks Green Village, summer 2011
Participating stores will display ‘Backing Birmingham’ signs in their windows, with many businesses already signed up to take part in the scheme.
Councilor, Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council said: “It’s time to take pride in our communities, to make the most of our strengths and acknowledge that it is Birmingham’s people who make these places special. We hope that this campaign will encourage everyone to enjoy the great things that their community has to offer and, with the B Card initiative, encourage them to support their local independents.”
Look out for advertisments and posters featuring local people, appearing soon.
Leaflets promoting individual areas and their businesses will also be distributed across the City. Each leaflet will include a B Card and explain how the card can be used.
B cards are available to any resident of Birmingham. Also cards can be obtained by visiting www.BackingBirmingham.com or by cutting out the card on newspaper advertisements.
You can use your B Card in any outlet displaying a ‘Backing Birmingham’ sticker and there will be a regularly updated list of participating stores at www.BackingBirmingham.com where you also have the chance to win £100 to spend locally.
Any independent outlet who would like to find out more about the campaign can visit the website or call 0121 472 9009 for their free point of sale kit, while stocks last. There is no charge to take part and retailers and outlets can decide what special offers they would like to give to B Card holders.
Rachel James of Rachel’s Salon in Acocks Green said of the scheme:
“I think it’s a brilliant idea. This is my first business, and we only opened 3 ½ months ago so I’m fully behind anything that helps local businesses get more customers. I think Acocks Green has everything for shoppers in one small space.”
Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum is interested to hear your experiences. Have you got a B Card? What do you think of the scheme? Are you one of the businesses taking part? We want to know more about how this initiative is working in Acocks Green village so share your comments with us.
September 2, 2011
Health Exchange are looking for volunteers to lead Health Walks in our local community. If you are able and willing to volunteer a couple of hours of your time each week, then they would like to hear from you! They will provide Volunteer Walk Leader training and on going help and support. You will also become part of the Health Exchange team and they will support and encourage you to take an interest in health and wellbeing that can be passed on to the walkers. They currently have a space for a volunteer on the Cottesbrooke Walking Group, a 1 hour gentle walk that leaves from Cottesbrooke Junior School every Wednesday at 9am and explores the local area.
If you would like to apply for this opportunity, or for walks in other areas of Birmingham, please contact Catherine Fletcher on 07792275127 or Catherine.fletcher@healthexchange.org.uk. New walkers are always welcome too. Phone Catherine or just turn up on Wednesday.
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