Westley Vale Millennium Green was founded in 2000, a project to set up 250 millennium greens around England for the turn of the century, with funding from The National Lottery and the Countryside Commission.
Winter View 2010
This five and a half acres of green space had been a bit of a wilderness for quite a few years, originally being Birmingham City Council allotments. It is named after the little stream, Westley brook which runs through the site. It also borders The Grand Union Canal and is close to the oldest canal bridge in Birmingham on this canal, (no.86). The Grade II listed Vineries Bridge,(c.1794). It is a haven for wildlife with many mature trees, a natural boggy area as well as a grassy area with benches for the humans to enjoy.
The site has 3 access points; the main ornamental gates are on The Avenue, decorated with cast iron creatures designed by the local primary school – Cottesbrooke Infants. There is also a gate at the bottom of Malvern Road (usually locked at dusk) and an entrance from the Vineries Canal Bridge at the bottom of Woodcock Lane. It is steeply embanked next to the canal, and steps take you to an area known locally as ‘the beach’ where a glade meets the water’s edge.
