Westley Vale Tai Chi

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Kit Barlow

The first Tai Chi session was a great success on 14th April. 18 people took part in this rewarding exercise based on ancient Chinese martial arts. Women and men of all ages and levels of fitness reported that the event was most enjoyable, as Veronica summed up :

Accompanied by some soothing background music, breathing in and out in rhythm to the movements, listening to the birdsong all around, everyone enjoyed the experience, ending the session relaxed and looking forward to next week.

What a wonderful opportunity for the people of Acocks Green, and what a perfect setting. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this event, just turn up in comfortable clothes.

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Are You Registered?

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Kit Barlow

Anyone wishing to vote in the upcoming May elections, must be
registered to do so and the deadline for registration is 18th April 2016.
If you wish to vote and influence the democratic process you must be
registered.

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Village in Bloom Launch Event

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Kit Barlow

Hoping to build on the success of last year’s GOLD award, the Village in Bloom Team will be launching the Acocks Green Village in Bloom Campaign 2016 at the Community Orchard on Saturday 16th April. Come along and support the event and learn more about gardening. Grown ups and children will be invited to sow seeds to take away and nurture and there will be wildflower seed-sowing at the orchard. There will be refreshments, hot food and lots of bargain plants to brighten up your gardens or give as presents. Or just come along for a chat or volunteer to help water in the hot weather.

bloom launch poster2016

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Magical Wardrobes in Acocks Green!

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Kit Barlow

Pop along to Acocks Green Library to experience this intriguing free exhibition. From the 2nd to 14th April. Even more reason to visit your local library.
Other Worlds

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Tai Chi @ Westley Vale

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Kit Barlow

This ancient martial art has great health benefits and starts as a weekly class starts in April.
Come along and find out more.

Tai Chi Poster WVMG

 

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Woodberry Walk Clean Up

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Kit Barlow

Birmingham City Council Housing and a group of local active citizens spent a couple of hours litter picking down Woodberry Walk on Monday morning. Over 10 bags of litter were collected from the bushes as well as fly tipped building waste and a build up of leaves.

Woodberry walk was the original route from Warwick Road to the Avenue and the canal, before Woodcock Lane was developed. There are still lots of trees and berries to this day, and thanks to the hard work of the volunteers and council workers, it is litter-free now. Lets try and keep it this way by picking up litter and encouraging others to dispose of their rubbish sensibly.

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Do You Want to Share Your Love of Reading?

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Kit Barlow

Do you have a passion for reading? Are you looking for a really rewarding volunteering experience that will change a child’s life?

Life is better when everyone can read well and express themselves confidently. Sadly, that isn’t always the case. Last year one in four children in Birmingham left  primary school unable to read to the required level, something that will have devastating consequences on their future prospects.

Beanstalk logo

Beanstalk is a children’s literacy charity that aims to rewrite this story with the help of local volunteers. Beanstalk recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to work with children who are struggling with their reading, ensuring that they have the skills and confidence to reach their true potential and lead successful lives.
Beanstalk’s trained reading helpers work with children on a one-to-one basis, giving them consistent support to improve their reading levels, increase overall confidence and enjoyment of reading. Together, they read, play and talk and with Beanstalk’s support the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is transformed.
Beanstalk is looking for volunteers to become reading helpers in a variety of schools across Birmingham.  If you or anyone that you know loves to read and are looking for a worthwhile volunteering opportunity please get in touch.

There are vacancies in Acocks Green schools.

Beanstalk photo (1)

WHO CAN APPLY?
You must be fluent in English and a competent reader. You will be required to pass some standard checking procedures for people working with children.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED TO GIVE?
Each Beanstalk reading helper will go into a local school for two 90 minute sessions a week, during term-time.
HOW DO I VOLUNTEER?
Please visit http://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk to complete an application or alternatively contact Liz at liz.gordon-smith@beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call 07841504419 to find out more.

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Vote for Our Westley Vale Millennium Green!

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Kit Barlow

bagsofhelpTesco Bags of help Scheme

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative across England and Wales. The scheme will see three community groups and projects in our area awarded grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 all raised from the 5p carrier bag charge. Community groups and projects in each of Tesco’s 390 regions across the UK will have a share of revenue from the 5p charge on single-use carrier bags. Westley Vale Millennium Green Trust in Acocks Green is one of three successful applicants in the area for this initiative.

The project proposal submitted by the Trust is to create a numbered trail around the 5.5 acre site, directing people to the points of interest in and around Westley Vale.  A leaflet will be produced showing the trail and explaining what can be seen on a nature walk.  This  will be distributed to local schools, libraries and clubs to encourage visitors to the site for recreational purposes and to enjoy this conservation area.

Westley Vale in Springtime

Westley Vale in Springtime

The funding will also go towards repair, replacement and erection of numbered posts and make them more accessible. It will also cover the cost of production and distribution of the trail leaflets. If the trust secure enough votes and get the larger grant, then they will also be able to repair some of the main tarmac pathways and possibly purchase an Information Board for Westley Vale.
The amount they receive is dependent upon local residents’ votes. Therefore the Neighbourhood Forum is encouraging all friends and supporters of the Westley Vale Millennium Green and indeed local residents and Tesco customers, to vote in local Tesco stores between Saturday 27th February to Sunday 6th March 2016

Below is a list of the Tesco’s nearby where customers will be able to vote for Westley Vale, so tell all your friends and family who use these shops to get voting! The nearest one to Acocks Green is the Tesco Express on Warwick Road, Olton (in the Esso station).

Capture

Find out more about the scheme here:  www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp

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Scrutinising the Police?

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Kit Barlow

West Midlands Police and Crime Panel have been in touch with the Neighbourhood Forum, asking us to share the news on this important role for any local people who might be interested:

Two Independent Members Sought to Scrutinise the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

The Panel is looking for two committed and energetic people who live or work in the West Midlands

  • Who have a genuine interest in policing, community safety and services for victims;
  • Can be an independent voice alongside elected councillors, to provide constructive challenge to the Police and Crime Commissioner; and
  • Are willing to listen to the views of all sections of our local communities.WMP-CP_Logo_RGB

 

Councillor Darren Cooper (Panel Chair and Leader of Sandwell Council) said:

“We really value the independent co-optees on the Panel. They bring a different perspective to the councillors on the Panel and often ask great questions of the Police and Crime Commissioner or other officers.”

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in these now established arrangements for reducing crime and disorder and to help shape the future of policing in the West Midlands.

The role of a panel member is an important and demanding one. Those appointed will serve on the Panel from May 2016 until May 2020 and work alongside councillors from each of the seven local authorities in the force area – Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

This is a voluntary position (an unpaid role). However, travel expenses can be claimed and induction and other training will be given.

Applicants need to be: at least 18 years old, live or work within the West Midlands force area; and be able to attend at 6-8 meetings a year across the West Midlands.

For more background information about the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel please and to download an application form visit www.westmidlandspcp.co.uk

For further information please email wmpcp@birmingham.gov.uk or call Benita Wishart on 0121 464 6871.

 

Closing date for applications is midnight Sunday 6th March 2016

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A Fruitful Day

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Kit Barlow

The weather was fine and so volunteers were out in force along the Grand Union Canal and Fox Hollies Park on Sunday, to help enhance our local green spaces. Litter picking, hedge and fruit tree planting took place on the canal as part of the Adopt A Stretch of Canal Project, in conjunction with the Canals and Rivers Trust.

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And down the road in Fox Hollies Park lots of local people joined in to help plant the park’s first community orchard. In a few years time, hopefully, we will be enjoying the fruit from this cold February morning.

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If you want to get more involved with local projects such as these then get in touch via this website and we can put you on the mailing list for the canal work project and/or The Friends of Fox Hollies Park group or email them directly – friendsoffoxholliespark@outlook.com

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