February 15, 2012
A local artist has recently captured one of the more picturesque spots in our patch in acrylic paint. Tahirah Ravoof who lives in Acocks Green, regularly enjoys walks near the Grand Union Canal and decided she would like to reproduce the September colours in paint.
Recognise the view? Are there any other artists out there who have paintings of Acocks Green? Maybe we could start an online gallery!
January 1, 2012
489 Squadron (Acocks Green & Olton) are opening its doors in January for new recruits who wish to join an active youth group. Aside from flying, sports, target shooting, adventure training and great fun, you’ll soon find that being an air cadet is its own reward – you constantly see the benefits of your own efforts, building on your achievements and earning BTECs and DofE Awards. You’ll be expected to take part in as many of the activities they run, but with what’s on offer you probably won’t need much persuading…
If your aged between 13-17 and wish to join, email: 489@aircadets.org or call 0121 706 4720 for more information.
December 16, 2011
Children from Cottesbrooke Junior School braced themselves for the blustery conditions and ventured out to Acocks Green Village for a spot of Carol Singing.
Cottesbrooke Junior School Carol Singing in Acocks Green
Positioning themselves outside Wilkinson’s store, the Year 3 children sang their little hearts out to the traditional tunes of ‘Rudolph’ and ‘Jingle Bells’. They even managed to get their audience warmed up with some ‘Rockin around the Christmas Tree’!
“A huge thank you to all the parents and members of the public who took a little time out of their busy schedules to listen to the children. We hope you enjoyed it. We certainly know the children did as they sang all the way back to school!” said Mrs Jones, Headteacher at Cottesbrooke.
December 3, 2011
ReCOM is a small local charity that believes that computers should be accessible to all. They run computer classes for the over 55′s and also sell low cost refurbished computers to individuals and voluntary groups and other charities.
If you are over 55 and want to learn how to use your computer, or would like to improve on your computer skills, in a relaxed and friendly setting then ReCOM’s classes could be for you.
A ReCom Silver Surfers Course
ReCOM will be running ‘Silver Surfer’ computer classes for beginners in Acocks Green from January 2012. To register or for more information phone 0121 663 0335 or email admin@recom.org.uk.
November 27, 2011
This week in Acocks Green – High Sea Adventures! Our local amateur dramatics group present a pantomime of pirates! All the details below.
November 19, 2011
The Neighbourhood Forum were invited to this event by the members of team 116, and the chairman was pleased to attend, which was held at The Acocks Green Baptist Church.
It was a very encouraging and enjoyable experience, being the culmination of the all their hard work and challenges, which followed their 12 week course and resulted in the presentation of certificates for achievement.
These courses are part of an on-going programme of the Prince’s Trust who are in partnership with West Midlands Police and Solihull College and also supported by many local businesses and agencies. Some of our local concerns who supported this initiative, were Sainsburys, Westley Hotel, Waitrose, Earlswood Nurseries, Jeffries Hardware, Cannon Hill Park Tea rooms presented a boat, Robert Wilkinson’s Funfairs donated 10 ton of sand, P.J. Rhodes, ASDA, Swan Trio, Severn Road School, Fox Hollies Children’s Centre, Acocks Green Baptist Church, Super News, Topshop, Jewsons Builders Merchants, Acocks Green Lions, Corus Hotels, Holiday Inns, La Tasca restaurant, Martell Timber Ltd, Gamestation, Soft Brick, Halfords Ltd and Willie Thorne.
The Prince’s Trust was formed in 1976, to help and support young people in achieving their potential and lead into training for education and job opportunities.
All the team were given skills, work training and experiences. They were able to develop relationships whilst working in teams and take up challenges at their time at an outdoors pursuit centre in Wales.
The team raised £2500, to support a number of projects in the community, Bag Packing at Sainsburys, Car Washes, Guess the number of sweets in a jar and arranged to raise bail monies for the release of’ Willie Thorne’ the snooker player, who entered in this fun event with enthusiasm. Some of the projects were building a beach play area for the Fox Hollies Children centre, meal out experiences, visits to a cinema and coffee mornings, for elderly residents.
Some of the team members reported that they had experienced earlier difficulties in their lives, but enthused that the course and experiences gave them opportunities to plan ahead and to improve their confidences. This was most evident from each of their personal presentations.
What was highlighted was the many challenges that we face in our communities, not least those that face many of our young people.
If you are in the age range 16 to 25, not in education, employment or training and reside in the Birmingham East Area and you may be interested to join the course in January 9th 2012, please do contact team leaders: PC Stuart Toogood or PCSO Fae Palmer on 07767749684.
This was a worthwhile achievement which challenged us to share and promote this good practice.
November 14, 2011
Sport 4 Life, the Stockfield Community Association, and Acocks Green Police are looking into the possibility of applying to a new funding stream from the Home Office called the Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund. If our bid is successful, we will use the funding to tackle the issue of youth anti-social behaviour on the Stockfield Estate by providing a programme of positive community activities for young males who are involved in youth ASB or are “at risk” of getting involved in youth ASB. These community activities would include a mixture of sports coaching activities and youth work/educational activities including workshops, volunteering opportunities and training courses. Activities would start in May 2012, and would take place in the evenings and at weekends.
Sport 4 Life would very much appreciate you taking 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSH62QB about your thoughts on youth-related anti-social behaviour on the estate. By completing it you will help give us the best chance of accessing funding for the benefit of the Stockfield community.
If you would like hard copies of the survey please let the Forum know and we will arrange for some to be sent out. Responses need to be received by the 25th November.
November 8, 2011
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
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
