November 8, 2011

Saturday Morning – Street Dance! ****UPDATE**** Project Finishes 18th Feb 2012

Posted by gedhughes under Events | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

Do you live in or around Stockfield? Are you female? Aged between 7-16 years old? Love or want to try dance for free? Then this a perfect opportunity for you!

Sport4Life UK, in partnership Stockfield Community Association are delivering dance classes at Cottesbrooke Junior School every Saturday morning FREE OF CHARGE!! A qualified dance instructor is delivering Urban Street Dance to the latest hits in the charts today.

The sessions compromise of two groups and sessions are every Saturday morning from 10am-11am (7-11years) and 11am-12pm (12-16 years). They are FREE to attend. The groups will also be working towards a Christmas performance in front of family and friends.

So why not go along, meet some new friends, learn some new moves and have some FUN!  For more information please contact Sport 4 Life on 0121 4294700

 

October 29, 2011

Acocks Green Village to become a Business Improvement District

Posted by gedhughes under News | Tags: , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

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:

  • Has the confidence to grow in a supportive and flourishing environment.
  • Puts the customer at the heart of everything the BID does
  • Prospers through collective promotion and new local supply chains.
  • Creates a better image for the Village to attract more local custom.
  • Works better together and with the police to reduce crime.

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

Historical Music Evening enjoyed at the Library

Posted by gedhughes under Events, News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

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

Study at University in Acocks Green!

Posted by gedhughes under adult courses, Events, News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

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

Supporting the Village’s Independent Businesses – “Backing Birmingham”

Posted by gedhughes under Events, News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

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

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 22, 2011

Shopper’s Survey

Posted by gedhughes under Events | Tags: , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

There is a new shopper’s survey taking place in the village, which will give an invaluable insight into how Acocks Green customers feel about the centre and how this compares to the survey that was carried out in 2008.

photo: Acocks Green Village Facebook page

There is one big change to the previous survey. This year the researchers are specifically targeting  efforts to actual visitors to the Village and for this reason it has been decided that the survey will not be available electronically.

There will be market researchers out and about in the Village in the next two weeks and there will have hardcopies available from:
Acocks Green Library
The Wright Way
Costa
Gossips Cafe
Banquet Cafe
Rachael’s Hair
Swan Trio

So be sure to make your feelings known about the village – our views could help shape the future of the centre, which will be of particular relevance if the hoped for Business Investment District (BID) goes ahead in the near future.

Let us know if you have seen the Market Researchers or spotted the questionnaires around the village.

 

September 14, 2011

Join in the Bike Train Day from Acocks Green – Thursday 22nd September

Posted by gedhughes under Events | Tags: , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

On the 22nd September 2011, Birmingham Friends of the Earth in conjunction with PushBikes and Sustrans will be holding 5 “Bike Train” events. This is an opportunity for people to get out on their bikes for the commute to work.

It is the annual Car Free Day, so they want people to leave their cars at home and join a “Bike Train” to work.

A bike train is essentially a group of people cycling together to get to their destination. It is a mass-ride that is a SAFE, FUN, and SIMPLE way to:
- get fit
- get to know your colleagues and meet new people
- help the environment by reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions
- discover Birmingham and see it from a completely different perspective
Birmingham Bike Trains will be running along 5 routes into the city centre (Victoria Square) in time for people to get to work.
There will be a breakfast at the end.

For a map of the routes, as well as to register, please follow the link below!

Map and Registration

 

September 2, 2011

Volunteer Walk Leaders with Health Exchange

Posted by gedhughes under News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

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.

 

August 22, 2011

Eat Seasonably Event – Saturday 3rd September in the Village

Posted by gedhughes under Events | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

The Neighbourhood Forum has recently been contacted by the Eat Seasonably Campaign. Its aim is to help us enjoy fruit and veg when they are naturally at their best – better taste, better value and better for the environment. Visit http://www.eatseasonably.co.uk to find out how to make the most of what’s best this month or click on the video below.

.

A special event to promote Eat Seasonably will take place outside Acocks Green library, and next door at the Inn on the Green on 3rd Sept from 12pm in the form of an outdoor street party. The aim to get the local community involved in learning about eating healthily, and more importantly, locally grown produce, harvested in its best season. Also, they will be serving three courses of free food for the public, cooked using the freshest and locally sourced produce in season.

As Eat Seasonably is a non-profit organisation, this event is entirely free.  They are serving free food to set up awareness for healthy eating and offering what they promise to be a fantastic fun filled day on with a chance to sample free and tasty food, and also get the children involved in fun activities. See below for all details:

The organisers of the event are also looking for volunteers and children’s entertainers for the day too.
Details about the campaign are on http://www.eatseasonably.co.uk, and for more info on the event day, visit their Facebook Event Page ‘Eat Seasonably’.

 

August 15, 2011

A little history of our village

Posted by gedhughes under Events | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

Thanks to Neighbourhood Forum chairman and local historian David Treadwell,  for a little insight into the history of our area. If you click on the maps you can see more detail.  It is interesting to see how the area has evolved and the lay of the land.  Some of the old names are still in use today.  The 1790 plan shows the remnants of our earlier open field system, started by the Anglo Saxons, running down from a ‘Ridge Way’.  The strips are bisected by the canal and would have run down towards ‘Westley Brook’

If you compare this with the 1860 map you can still see the consolidation of the strips into parcels of land, which are now reflected in the street systems.

The ‘Ridge way’, which is now Yardley Road, divided the fields.  On the Eastern prospect was the field known as Acocks Green Field, previously ‘Nether Hynefield’ and on the Western prospect it was called ‘Over Hynefield’ in 1619.

Map of Acocks Green around 1790 - click on map for closer look

The strips were invariably leased and were maintained by a heavy plough pulled by oxen to cut a deep furrow.  These furrows divided the strips with a raised ridge marking the individual strips.

It may be worth noting that the three settlements were Westley Brook, Flint Green and Fox Green, with Acocks Green located at the junction of Warwick Road and Woodcock Lane, which was the site of Acocks Green House, built around 1649 (demolished around 50 years ago).

Map of Acocks Green dated 1850- click on map for closer look

Pinfold House,  which still stands on Mansfield Road and is now being renovated, is shown on the 1850 map.  The historic core of the property is probably from the 17th Century, as is the Barn which was thought to have been a threshing barn.

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 31 other followers