December 10, 2011

CBSO Music in Acocks Green Library

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Another delightful Swansong concert took place on Wednesday 23rd November at Acocks Green Library. The 2011 season was brought to a pleasant close by a fine performance from the CBSO players, with string compositions from Arensky, Haydn and Rimsky Korsakov.

This was a well attended concert of approximately 75 members local music lovers, who enjoyed a programme enthusiastically performed by the musicians comprising of Violins: Byron Parish and Libby Golding, Violas: Amy Fawcett and Miriam Guillaume, Cellos: Jackie Tyley and Helen Edgar. The programme comprised of ‘Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky’ from
Arensky. A Quartet The Joke by Haydn. and a Rimsky Korsakov Sextet.

The CBSO Players perform at Acocks Green Library

We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience similar standards of performance in our area over recent years and Mike Byrne reported that the ‘Swansong’ Concerts will continue in the New Year, but with a slight reduction in the number of performances. He further thanked all the folk who have given their good support over this time, which has allowed these concerts to be organised.

Also the Arts and Media events will continue  in the New Year at the library on January 11th at 2pm with a presentation from Susan Hunston, on the subject of our real thoughts called Reading between the Lines.  For more information call in at the library for  tickets.

 

October 22, 2011

Historical Music Evening enjoyed at the Library

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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

 

August 22, 2011

Eat Seasonably Event – Saturday 3rd September in the Village

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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.

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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 5, 2011

Swansong Evening at Acocks Green Library

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At the July Swansong the audience of over 75 people had the the pleasure of listening to  The Harmonics, a 12 member chamber ensemble, which was formed 8 years ago, as part of the main Warley Male Voice Choir and conducted by their musical director Stephen Allen.


The Harmonics  were joined on this double bill, by a Birmingham based mixed choir the Enchant, formed 5 years ago from a group of friends, having a broad repertoire from church music, madrigals and popular songs, who were led and conducted by John Barber. They can be booked for weddings and other functions: contact www.enchant.org.uk or e-mail hello@enchant.org.uk.

Both choirs were very enthusiastic and professional and well received by the audience who enjoyed their varied repertoire of different styles from sacred music to barber shop and popular songs. All together they produced and performed an inspirational experience.

 

August 1, 2011

A Credit Union in Acocks Green – *****update*****now Monday is new collection day

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Looking for a great way to save or an easy way to borrow?  Want to start saving up for Christmas or for a big holiday?  Or do you need a low interest loan from 1% a month? –  then Communisave – a  South Birmingham’s Credit Union, is just up your street.    It is a not-for-profit organisation owned and run by members with accessible local collection points.

We are glad to see the return of the credit union on

Monday betweeen 1pm-2pm
at Acocks Green Library
come along at this time to find out more or join the scheme

You can also contact them on: 0121 486 2035

email:  admin@communisave.co.uk

or visit their website:  www.communisave.co.uk


Credit Unions are a great way for everyone to budget.  Your savings are also your shares, a constant reminder that you own your financial, community co-operative together with all the other regular savers ensuring money is invested locally with any profits going back to the members by way of a dividend.  Just £1.40 to join (renewable annually) with no hidden charges, no penalties for small savers and a fixed interest rate of just 1% per month (12.68% APR) on the reducing balance, regardless of the amount you borrow!

Volunteers to help run the scheme are always welcome.

Supported by Birmingham City Council.

 

May 13, 2011

Baroque Music Night – Update – This evening (Wed) at St Marys Church

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******Update – this delightful baroque musical group are playing this evening at St Marys Church in Acocks Green, 7.30pm.  Free Entry, donations at end of concert*********************
Local people were delighted by an evening of Baroque music at Acocks Green Library on 11th May.  Consort Pléon are a group of music graduates from Birmingham Conservatoire who play with authentic Baroque instruments. Sharon Reading-Firth plays Baroque Oboe, Maria Larsson & Rens Claerhoudt Baroque violins, Lucia Capellaro Baroque cello and Sara Willander accompanied all the musicans on harpsicord.

Consort Pléon perform as part of Swansong

The group peformed a selection of sonatas by the composers Handel and Corelli and completed the programme with Albiononi’s Concerto for Oboe and Strings in D Minor.

The musicians also  explained the difference between their Baroque instruments and their modern day versions, as well as the way in which the music would have been performed at the time.

The well-supported and much-appreciated musical evenings are part of the programme known as Swansong, organised by recently retired librarian Mike Byrne.

The musicians explain their Baroque instruments

The next scheduled  Swansong Evening is Warley Male Voice Choir, back by popular demand, who will perform in the library on Wed 27th July, tickets are free and available from the library. A collection is made at the end of the evening.

 

April 10, 2011

Music Amongst the Bookshelves – The Beorma Quartet

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The  April 6th Swansong at Acocks Green Library was an opportunity, shared by approximately 50 members of our local community, to witness an outstanding unaccompanied performance of madrigals and other songs by the talented Beorma Quartet.  Comprising  of  Soprano Amy Secretan, Mezzo Soprano Clare Barnett-Jones , Tenor Matthew Spillett  and  Bass Lewis Jones. Together they presented a splendid evening of  vocal music spanning 1000 years.

The quartet was formed by students and graduates from the Birmingham Conservatoire which is part of Birmingham City University.  The name ‘Beorma’ is the original Saxon word for the area now we now know as Birmingham.

Librarian and local historian Mike Byrne is the organiser of the Swansong performances at Acocks Green library.  Mike informed the audience that although  he will soon be leaving his job at the library he will continue to organise the popular and always enlightening Swansong concerts.  He also told the audience that the usual spring concert by members of the CBSO did not take place this year as the result of  loss of the CBSO’s community sponsorship funding.

The next Swansong performance is at 7.30pm on 11th May at Acocks Green Library, with the Consort Pleon presenting music by Handel, Corelli and Albinoni. Tickets are free and available from the library. Everyone who enjoys live music is welcome.  A collection is made at the end of the concert.

 

June 8, 2010

Public Meeting Thursday 10th June – 7.30pm

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Everyone in the area is welcome to come along to our next Public Meeting and AGM.  It takes place at the Church Hall on Yardley Road, close to the Police Station.   The meeting starts at 7.30pm and usually finishes around 9pm.  The Guest Speaker is Mike Byrne – Librarian of AG Library and Local Historian.  He will be giving a short presentation on the history of Acocks Green.

The Local Police will also be in attendance to update the meeting.  There will be an opportunity to raise any concerns or issues with the Forum.

Refreshments will be served.

 

May 30, 2010

Swansong @ Acocks Green Library

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Another most enjoyable Acocks Green Library “Swansong” concert held on Wednesday Evening 19th May.
A programme for Cello Duets performed by Cellists Nigel Blomiley and Felicity Vincent. Both musicians gave a well received performance of five main compositions from
over the past three centuries.  In fact, the performances gave an impression that the musicians were very much in contact with the composers, particularly evident with David Popper and Friedrich Kummer.
 
Felicity Vincent studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and was with the Halle Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic. She studied with Vladimir Orloff and the cellist and teacher Janos Starker.
She has given solo and chamber-music concerts both sides of the Atlantic and at the Salzburg Orchesterhaus.
 
Nigel Blomiley did not begin musical training until he was fourteen.  By twenty he was playing professionally with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. In 1981, he was appointed principal cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra, touring Spain, Italy and Germany, as well as North America, Japan and Hong Kong.  Nigel relinquished his post with the Concert Orchestra in 2005  to devote more time to chamber music and teaching.  He has a commitment to developing and nurturing musical talent in young people.  He is also a coach to the National Youth Orchestra of wales.
 
The compositions for the two cello were as follows:-
 
Canon for two cellos  by Domenico Gabrielli : 1651 – 1690
 
Sonata in G major
Andante : Adagia : Allegro Prestissimo           : Jean Barriere  c 1705 – 1747
 
Duo in C major, Op 15
Allegro : Andante : Andantino avec Variations   : Julius Johann Friedrich Dotzauer 1783 – 1860
 
Duo in F major
allegro : Variations on a Swiss Theme                  : Friedrich Kummer 1797 – 1879
 
Divertimento No 1 in G major, Op. 4
Adagis : Andatino : Tempo comodo- Piu Andante-Presto : Giacomo Cervetto 1682 – 1783
 
Duet in A major, Op.  51
Allegro : Andante : Allegretto                                Jacques Offenbach
 
Suite Op. 16
Andante grazioso : Gavotte : Scherzo                    David Popper 1843 – 1913.
Largo espressivo : Marcia Finale

 

August 7, 2009

Warwick Road improvements – Consultation

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Birmingham City Council, Solihull Council and Centro are working together to look at improving a section of the Warwick Road.  The area being studied is from Seven Star Road Solihull to the junction with Stratford Road, Sparkhill, (The Mermaid).

In the consultation they ar considering all users, cars, public transport, pedestrians and cyclists.  They will be a meeting to further discuss proposals on Saturday 19th September between 11 and 3 at Acocks Green Library.

Also go to the website to express your views and you may win £50 in shopping vouchers.  www.warwickroad.org.uk

 

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