*******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