In collaboration with Acocks Green Village in Bloom, Birmingham City Council’s parks department have agreed to mix in wildflower seeds with the grass seed that they will be resowing in the springtime on Oak Meadow. The ground is still too muddy, but once it has warmed up a little the resowing of the site will take place, following the disruptive essential maintenance work by Severn Trent Water.
Also notice on this stretch of the canal new planting courtesy of Canals and Rivers Trust and bird and bat boxes that have been installed by local volunteers working with the Canals Trust. All this improvement work will really enhance the natural environment and wildlife. Watch this space.
Spring is just around the corner and for the last 19 years a week in February is given the title National Nest Box Week. The project of the British Trust for Ornithology, the idea to encourage people to put up boxes for our feathered friends and monitor their use. Anyone can take part and more information is available on the organisation’s website .
Our friends from the Canals and Rivers Trust have a supply of handmade bird boxes they have kindly offered to the Neighbourhood Forum to install on adopted stretch of the Grand Union Canal. This Sunday 19th February volunteers are invited to meet at 10am at Vineries Bridge (Woodcock Lane) to help with this project. The Canals & Rivers Trust will be there with all equipment required. Or, why not put up your own nest box and hopefully have a family of birds enjoying the space soon!
Great support from the 260th Scout Group and local residents last Saturday at the Friends of Acocks Green Recreation Ground Litter Pick.
(First Saturday of every month 10-12 noon).If you missed that one this week it’s the turn of Fox Hollies Park this Saturday 11th February. Come along and join the Friends of Fox Hollies Park and get a fix of community spirit. This park is a big space with two playgrounds, a large fishpond, stream, bridges and orchard so its a great chance to explore and get some fresh air whilst doing something useful for our area.
There is lots more happening at Fox Hollies Park. Check out their latest newsletter HERE
Local people who enjoy walking around the area can’t have missed the huge disruption to Oak Meadow Open Space over the last year. This was due to large scale waterworks by Severn Trent. The work, thankfully is now complete, however the re-landscaping of the area has not been completed. Some local dog-walkers have asked the Neighbourhood Forum for an update on the situation at our Public Meeting. We therefore contacted Birmingham City Council’s parks department for an update. See below for the response from them:
Oak Meadow before the disruptive waterworks
Following a meeting this month with Severn Trent/Amey regarding the site, Parks Manager Mike Hinton had this to say:
‘The situation at the moment is that the soil is very wet and has puddled in places, and I have asked Amey to stop the work due to the quality of the reinstatement. I have explained what standards/finish I am expecting and I have asked for the Herris fencing not to be removed until I accept the area.
The type of work that still needs to be done includes:
In terms of time frame for the completion of the work it is entirely weather/temperature dependent and fencing could be in position up until April/May time when the grass is
re-established.
Last week I had a meeting with a number of residents from the area and Councillor Choudhry to explain what is happening on site as well, so they are well versed with what is happening here.
Any issues please let me know.
Regards
Mike Hinton M.Hort(RHS)Cert Ed(FE)
District Parks Manager – East Quadrant
Hall Green, Yardley and Hodge Hill
Birmingham City Council
Visit us at www.birmingham.gov.uk/parks‘
Stage 27’s pantomime last year was a sell-out success and great fun for all the family. And we are sure that it will be just as good this year with such a dedicated team of local thespians! £6 each or £19 for a Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) – what a bargain. Contact them below by phone. Or go to www.stage27.co.uk
Local residents are invited to our public meeting – all the details here
Next Monday at Acocks Green Library – the first step to finding out your family history..book a place at the library.
On Friday 16th December there was a Community Christmas Party for people who play an active role in the community of Acocks Green. It was set up several years ago to acknowledge the work of community champions and named after long-standing Acocks Green Carnival volunteer Ray Newton. This year it was presented to Mike Byrne who is a familiar face in Acocks Green and hard to miss bring a very tall man. The former Librarian at Acocks Green Library, Mike has established and continued to play a key role in the historical and cultural development of Acocks Green.
Mike originates from Nottingham and came to Birmingham in 1969 to study at Birmingham University, and after graduation in 1973, joined the library service in Birmingham in 1974. He commenced as a librarian at Central Library, moving to Hall Green, then South Yardley until joining Acocks Green in 1993.
Mike Byrne receives the Ray Newton Active Citizen Award with previous winner Sue Weake and Ray Newton.
Whilst in post as Librarian, Mike was very influential in facilitating opportunities for the history and heritage of Acocks Green. He was instrumental in producing one of the most detailed and thorough histories of Acocks Green and supported the local history society. He also produced and published a number of local history books and a pictorial record of
local areas.
Even though Mike is resident in Kings Norton, he has always shown a particular interest in Acocks Green, promoting a number of regular groups and events to celebrate the particular heritage and culture of outhe area such has the Local History Group, Arts and Media Group, Friends of the Library and the regular professional musical concerts –Swansong that take place at St Mary’s Church. These all add to the cultural scene of Acocks Green and the interests of its residents.
The latest addition has been the promotion and establishment of the Village gaining its own Heritage Trail, one of only a few in Birmingham and comprising of eight information boards around the village, linked to the Village history website and supported by tour guides and an information leaflet.
Through Mike’s unwavering efforts and enthusiasm, Acocks Green has been well served in its heritage and culture, which could be considered ‘second to none’. In short, Mike has worked tirelessly, often unacknowledged in raising the substance and profile of Acocks Green.In fact, the Village of Acocks Green would be a lesser place without his
interest and commitment.
A guaranteed enjoyable evening of classical music performed by professional musicians and some carols to sing along with!
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