It won’t be long until we will see the many daffodils and tulips filling the planters and beds of Acocks Green. Just one reflection of the work by the Acocks Green Village in Bloom volunteers. As a way to raise funds for their continued work they have organised an evening of celebration that everyone is invited to. All the details are below. Come along and support their work and have an enjoyable evening in the heart of Acocks Green:
Newly-appointed Debbie White came along to our recent Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting and introduced herself. She is keen to work to improve our area and is available for appointments at Acocks Green Library on most Tuesdays. We look forward to seeing the benefits of her post.
The fund-raising calendar for 2023 is now available at S & H Jewellers and Jeffries Hardware . Lots of people sent in photos they had taken – a big thanks to everyone who contributed. It was a difficult choose just 13 photos out of over 100 submitted.
The calendar makes a great present, but is also practical, with lots of space to write appointments and has all the notable dates and bank holidays. So support Acocks Green and buy a calendar or two soon!
They will also be on sale at the Craft and Table Top Sale at St Mary’s Church on Saturday 19th November, 12 til 2pm (cash only at this event).
Following lots of objections and concerns about the proposed changes to the Westley Hotel the first publicised planning application has been amended by the applicant in an attempt to explain and address the planned changes.
A Statement from the owners explains their plans HERE
However:
No change to the planned extra rooms (33), more than doubling the current number
Loss of the Function Room
Loss of main Catering kitchen
This is a high number or rooms for a ‘budget hotel’ in a suburban area, so it will inevitably have an impact on traffic levels. Also once this important function room and venue is gone, it will never return and so our area will lose a valuable space for events and celebrations forever. There are also concerns for the long term use once the nature of the building is changed. If you have already commented, you can comment again, addressing the updates.
The pandemic and economic downturn has had its effect on most businesses, but people still need local spaces to use for special occasions and events. The economic climate will change. With the right management this could become a vibrant and much-needed social venue.
Most readers of our website will have spent many a time at the Westley Hotel over the years. It has been a landmark in our area for as long as we can remember. Family gatherings, nights out, social events, charity dinners, the Westley has been a wonderful venue for local people to come together. The Neighbourhood Forum were very sad to see that the owner has now closed the venue and has now put in a planning application for 33 more rooms.
Local people can object to by clicking HERE – just type your views where is says ‘Submit Comments Here’. Tell your friends and neighbours to share their views too. It needs to be done as soon as possible, although they will take comments in to account right up the the planning hearing. but don’t delay… do it TODAY!
If you want to read more about how to share your views about Planning Applications, read the previous post about this subject : PLANNING APPLICATIONS
If we would like to see festive lights brightening up the darkest time of the year, Acocks Green Partnership is asking for donations from individuals and businesses to bring them to our village this winter. Previously funding has come from the Business Improvement District (Acocks Green BID), but now that is no longer in place, there is a call for crowdfunding. Even if you can give just a small amount, every little helps, and the lights makes such a difference to our shopping centre. So donate if you can, and spread the word!
Most readers of our website will have spent many a time at the Westley Hotel over the years. It has been a landmark in our area for as long as we can remember. Family gatherings, nights out, social events.. Charity dinners.. the Westley has been a wonderful venue for local people to come together. The Neighbourhood Forum were very sad to see that the owner has decided to close the venue and has now put in a planning application for 33 more rooms. There is nothing in the application about using the space as a venue in future and there is no extention to the building, so it sounds like the plan is to a lot more people into the same space.. so of course there are serious concerns about this plan.
Local people can object to by clicking HERE – just type your views where is says ‘Submit Comments Here’. Tell your friends and neighbours to share their views too. It needs to be done as soon as possible, although they will take comments in to account right up the the planning hearing. but don’t delay… do it TODAY!
If you want to read more about how to share your views about Planning Applications, read the previous post about this subject : PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Are you a tree-lover who would like to receive a free blossom tree courtesy of National Trust, for your local community space, front garden or school around Acocks Green? Those of you who visited the city centre in recent months may have noticed the blossom trees in containers brightening up the city streets. The National Trust is working with local communities and tree-lovers around Birmingham and the country to bring more blossom trees to urban areas with their Blossom Together programme. The trees that were in containers around the city and at the Commonwealth Smithfield Festival Site installation will live on when their roots are planted in gardens and community spaces around our city.
photo courtesy of National Trust
Birmingham was once surrounded by orchards and small gardens and referred to as ‘a town ringed by blossom’. In recognition of this botanical history they are aiming to create a new, symbolic ring of blossom around the city by giving away more than 600 blossoming trees to people based near the number 11 bus route, which circles Birmingham.
If you live, or are part of a school or community group within a 25 minute walk of the number 11 bus route around Birmingham and would like to plant and care for a blossom tree, please email National Trust to register your interest. Trees will be allocated during September ahead of planting in early 2023.