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

 

 

 

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.

 

February 24, 2013

Progress on Mallard Community Orchard

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Progress is going well on the Mallard Close Orchard. Sunday morning saw 10 enthusiastic volunteers helping prepare the land for the tree-planting which takes place on Saturday 16th March. This will be as part of  The Big Dig national event, encouraging people to get involved in community gardening schemes. Read more about it on their website and come along to the orchard on the day.

With all the digging over the last few months on the site, we were really hoping to find a Saxon Hoard or at least some valuable jewellery or maybe old British King or two. Mostly we have found historic sweet wrappers; there have been few interesting finds though. On the day of the Big Dig, we will have a table displaying all the ‘treasures’ that have been dug up.

Diggers United - fresh air, exercise and community spirit!

Diggers United – fresh air, exercise and community spirit!

Thanks to the support from local people who have taken an interest in the project and said nice words of encouragement, its great to hear that our work is appreciated.  The orchard is part of the Village in Bloom Project, which Acocks Green is taking part in this year for the second time. If you are interested in getting involved send us a message or come along on Sunday or Wednesday morning, from 10am. More photos and information can be seen on the Village in Bloom page.

 

December 5, 2012

Mallard Close – Community Orchard

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Acocks Green Village in Bloom team have big plans to transform an untidy piece of wasteland in the village to a beautiful Community Orchard for locals to enjoy.  Work has already started with tidying up the site and planning the best trees and plants to make this unloved plot into an appreciated and beneficial greenspace.

volunteers preparing the ground, Mallard Close

volunteers preparing the ground, Mallard Close

Spearheading the project is Acocks Green Village in Bloom volunteer and co-ordinator Fran Lee.  With the help of community grants and volunteers, the space  should be a real asset to the village. The team hope that school children and parents from adjacent Holy Souls School and other locals will take a real interest in the development and progress of the site. The plan is that the fruit trees will be in the ground before March, so that they can establish during the spring and summer. A local organisation called Food Forest Brum have also offered their support.

It’s an exciting project and will add greatly to the Village in Bloom entry for 2013.  Last year, thanks to Fran’s organisation, support from the Acocks Green BID and local businesses and volunteers, Acocks Green Village won a bronze medal in the Urban Category.  With transformations projects such as this our village may win a silver this year! The local Neighbourhood Police Team have also been supporting the project, working with the Youth Forum and offering suggestions for possible community funding.  The team are always looking for more people who can help do a bit of gardening (no experience necessary). Next Sunday at 10am the group will meet at the site and anyone who can spare an hour or two is encouraged to join in and play their part in making a real positive difference to the neighbourhood.  If you would likYe to be involved in this project in some way please contact Fran:  fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk or turn up on Sunday 9th December at 10am to meet the team and get digging!

AG Village in Bloom2 small

 

July 23, 2012

Acocks Green – Village in Bloom – Update – Digging For Victory

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*******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

 

March 22, 2012

Westley Vale Action Day – 31st March 2012

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Join the trustees of Acocks Green’s Westley Vale Millennium Green on Saturday 31st March.  There will be tree-planting, tidying and litter-picking. All help is much appreciated.  Meet at the main gates at 10am on The Avenue and see how you can help. Refreshments for all helpers.  Equipment will be provided.

Tree Planting in the Westley Vale 2011

 

September 2, 2011

Volunteer Walk Leaders with Health Exchange

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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 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.

 

June 15, 2011

‘ReCOM celebrates Volunteers’ Week at the Bowling Alley

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 Some of ReCOM’s volunteers were ‘bowled over’ with a fun evening at Acocks Green Bowl held to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June 2011.

Recom Volunteers enjoying evening at Acocks Green Bowl

ReCOM is a local charity helping people get on-line with computer clubs, IT training and low cost refurbished computers. We would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in volunteering within our charity. If you would like more information as to what we do and how we help the local community, please call on 0121 765 5282 or email itmad@recom.org.uk.’

 

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