Have you been out and about around the Acocks Greeen area and captured any interesting, quirky or scenic views? Send them in and you might see your photo appearing in the next Acocks Green Calendar 2025.
The AG calendar is now an established annual purchase for many people. These calendars have been sent all around the world as they make great gifts. Available for sale at Jeffries Hardware, they help raise money for the local community as well as being a practical way of keeping track of important dates and appointments. So share your photos, get out snapping, or buy a calendar! (Available from mid November 2024).
Residents have until the Thursday 26th September to have their say about the future of our community libraries. There is also a chance to share your views in person. (See below). The council has given feedback from the first phase of the consultation and asks people to consider proposed new structures, which includes some libraries having part time hours, some being run by other organisations and some closing altogether. You need to click on the link below to look at these possible proposals. Although they state that no final decisions have been made.
There is also a chance to share your views in person. The consultation at Acocks Green Library coincides with their Coffee Morning, so a chance to have a hot drink too.
Drop in Consultations:
Acocks Green Library – Thursday 5 September 10.30am to 12 noon
South Yardley Library – Monday 16th September 3pm to 4.30pm
Click HERE and then scroll down to download ‘LIBRARIES CONSULTATION PACK’ for all the information about the proposed new library structure
Once you have read the pack you can also give your feedback HERE
It is important that as many people as possible share their views about libraries.
In response to the riots happening in a number of cities across UK, and the incidents in Yardley, the Executive Committee of Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum wants to make its position clear:
We are proud to be part of a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community.
We do not support any rioting, violence, hatred or misinformation, from any group.
We encourage residents of Acocks Green to live in peace and harmony with each other.
Let us show neighbourly respect and solidarity to each other, even those with differing beliefs and views.
We should all extend support to each other and offer help to our neighbours if they need it. Together we are stronger.
Because of the financial situation within Birmingham City Council, there are plans to make savings across all council services, including our local libraries.
The Neighbourhood Forum knows what an important role the community libraries play to many local people. Not only do they offer lots of free reading matter, free internet, but creative workshops, activities for families and older people, many of them free.
The on line consultation has to be completed by Wednesday 17th July. It is long and wordy but there is space to write your own thoughts and feelings about libraries which you can make use of. Please complete the consultation HERE if you haven’t already done so. You can also ask for a written copy to complete and hand in to the library.
On the Birmingham Loves Libraries website there is advice on how to complete the survey HERE . In September there will also be face to face consultations at our local libraries :
Acocks Green Library – Thursday 5 September 10.30am to 12 noon (drop in consultation)
South Yardley Library – Monday 16th September 3pm to 4.30pm (drop in consultation)
Acocks Green LibrarySouth Yardley Library
Also from 22nd July both Acocks Green Library and South Yardley Library will be closing temporarily an extra day per week because of staff shortages. The extra days that libraries will be closed are Tuesdays at Acocks Green and Fridays at South Yardley library. Check out their Facebook pages for more up to date information.
If you are not a member of the library or you have lost your library card then it is easy to sort out. Take some name and address ID and talk to staff and they will help you join or get a replacement library card. Find out what is going on at your local library and make the most of our library services.
Do you play a rock band instrument or sing? Would you like the opportunity for a free workshop where you can learn tunes and make music together? If so, come to the Brum Rocks workshops at Fox Hollies Forum, Acocks Green on :
Wednesday 19th June & 3rd July, 7:00-8:30pm.
These sessions will be run by a professional rock music leader who will lead you through a range of classic rock songs from the past 50 years. Expect Electric Light Orchestra, the Beatles, and Status Quo, as well as much more! Please be assured that there is no minimum playing or singing ability at these workshops and that we accept and encourage beginners to take part – there will be plenty of guidance and help!
For the last 8 years Acocks Green have have received a Gold from the RHS Village in Bloom Awards. Can you help the village achieve a Gold again?! You can help make a difference locally, even if it is just the odd hour or two you have spare, it can all help!
On Saturday 4th May we have a celebration of Springtime in the village, (and hopefully good spring weather!) Acocks Green Village in Bloom are hosting an event to raise funds and celebrate their successes (8 consecutive Gold Awards). There will be live music from covers band Acoustica, who had people dancing in the streets last year, playing lots of your favourite tunes.
The local beekeeper will be selling her Bee27 honey and talking about her bees with her live display hive. There is also face-painting, seed-sowing, lots of bargain plants and plenty of stalls, such as homemade crafts, vinyl records, top range cosmetics and tasty hot food. There are a few spaces left for extra stalls if you know anyone who wants a FREE pitch, or you would like to get involved or help in some way. Contact Fran – details below. See you there!
On the 2nd May citizens of the West Midlands are invited to the polling stations to vote for the next Mayor of West Midlands. Hopefully you will have received your polling cards by now.
Andy Street has been the West Midlands Mayor since 2017. There are several other candidates who are applying to be Mayor this year. It depends on the electorate whether Andy gets re-elected or a new Mayor takes over the role.
Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum has arranged a ‘Hustings’ – this is an opportunity for those who vote for the Mayor to meet the candidates, listen to what they have to say about their plans if they are elected, and to answer questions put to them on the evening or in advance. Everyone in the area is invited along to listen and put forward questions they have. Time will be limited, so they may not have time to answer all the questions. The date of the event is Wednesday 17th April. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The meeting takes place in Arthur Moore Hall (old Baptist Church Hall, Alexander Road, round the corner from the usual meeting hall).
Come along and find out more about the West Midlands Mayor’s role. Hopefully it will help you choose which candidate you would like to vote for in the May election.
Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum 