Smart Route – Smart New Buses

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Kit Barlow

The end of the road works in Acocks Green is now in sight. It is anticipated that it will be completed by the end of the first week in July. Large planters, benches, cycle parking will be the finishing touches with semi-mature trees being planted in the autumn. Coinciding with the improved village layout will be a fleet of new buses for the 37 bus route.

New buses in Acocks Green arriving this month.

New buses in Acocks Green arriving this month.

They will be painted the new crimson coloured livery and being used on the 37, 71 & 72 buses from Acocks Green Garage. They will have an more environmentally-friendly Cummins Euro 6 Engine, improved heating and ventilation systems, wider isles and easier access. Altogether there will be 50 buses rolled out in the next few weeks, replacing the current fleet. For all you bus spotters out there they will be numbered 2201-2250.

Alexander Dennis Ltd is one of the fastest growing British bus and coach building companies in the world and is based in Scotland.

 

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16-19 yrs? Opportunity Knocks

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Kit Barlow

If you are 16 to 19 years old and looking for a job, college course, training or an apprenticeship then make sure you get along to this Opportunity Fair in Yardley, just off the number 11 bus route.

A5 BCS - Get Sorted 4 Summer Opportunities Fair flyer

 

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Yardley Arts Forum – Arts in The Yard

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Kit Barlow

Last week the Neighbourhood Forum invited Arts In The Yard to talk about their work in Acocks Green (and Yardley district).  They look after the local arts forum and work in partnership with local groups on curating and delivering arts projects with social impact.  Hopefully many of you have already seen the two new murals in Acocks Green that Arts In The Yard helped shape.  One is at the Sports Pod on Stockfield Park and the other is an 80ft long wildlife mural designed by lead artist Hoakser.  The lead artist worked closely with the committee at Westley Vale Millennium Green to ensure the piece enhanced the conservation area.  The piece will also form part of Acocks Green In Bloom’s entry this year (the judges love to see new things every year!)  Arts In The Yard hope to work with other community groups in the near future to develop a series of public artworks.

Art work by Graffiti Artist Hoakser
Kingfisher detail
Blackbird detail
Funded by Arts In The Yard

Arts In The Yard are also busy supporting Acocks Green Carnival, which this year takes place on Saturday 4th July.  The carnival committee could really do with some help this year.

There are lots of ways you can help, such as:
  • Attend the next carnival meeting at 7pm in June ( date tbc) at Acocks Green Methodist Church.  Only an hour and the committee are looking for new volunteers
  • Donate a raffle prize
  • Help sell raffle tickets to your family, friends and neighbours

More details from acocksgreencarnival@yahoo.com or find them on facebook.

Also if you are interested in all things creative then come along to one of the regular Arts in The Yard meetings or get in touch. Details below:

Nicola Toms – Forum Coordinator  Arts in the Yard 07743 59 34 39

The Arts Forum for Yardley District covering Acocks Green, Sheldon, South Yardley and Stechford & Yardley North.  Our meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of most months, 5.15-6.45pm at South Yardley Library

Next planned meetings:
4 June 2015 – 5.15-6.45pm at South Yardley Library
2 July 2015 – 5.15-6.45pm at South Yardley Library

TWITTER: @artsintheyard
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/artsintheyard
INSTAGRAM: artsintheyard

 
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Grand Union Canal – Uniting the Community in Acocks Green

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Kit Barlow

Following the very successful first meeting as a working group for the ‘Adopt a Stretch of Canal’ project, where around 15 volunteers worked hard litter-picking and tidying; our ancient waterway appeared on Central News on Thursday 14th May.

On 30th April the working boat and crew came along the canal to collect litter and debris that has been dumped on the far side banks and in the water. Some volunteers came out to support the boat’s work. There was a Central News presenter and and film crew on site to cover the story.

The Canals and Rivers Trust are highlighting the important work that volunteers play in looking after local canals and how local people getting involved promotes a sense of ownership and pride in these historic waterways.

Thanks to Bryan Smith and David Treadwell for the photos taken on the day.

The next Working Group (e.g.litter picking, maintenance, towpath improvements) will be on Saturday 13th June. Meet at 10am on the old canal bridge on Woodcock Lane. Wear sensible shoes/boots. All equipment will be provided – come and join in and help improve our waterway. Everyone is welcome.

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Stockfield’s Got Talent!

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Kit Barlow

Have you a talent that you would like to share with the world??  And perform on stage at Stockfield Funday on Saturday 11th July?! Then this is your opportunity! Open to everyone.  Hurry though because applications must be in by the end of the month. The form is below. Promotional-Talent-Flyer-2015(With-Amendments) (1)Click for application form TALENT SHOW APPLICATION FORM
Print off form and return it to address on form or collect one from Cottesbrooke Infant/Junior School.

 

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Free Career Advice for Young People ***New Mentoring Support****

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Kit Barlow

mentoring

For local young people there is free Career Advice just up the road (a few minutes walk from Tescos at Swan Island). You can find out about your different options from apprenticeships, training, college and work. So why not take advantage of this free advice?
Click Map to find the Advice Centre.

 


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Launch of Village in Bloom 2015 at Mallard Community Orchard

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Kit Barlow

Although there were showers and strong winds, the Village in Bloom Team managed to pull off a successful few hours to launch the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom campaign for 2015. The theme this year is Greener Streets – Better Lives. There was seed-sowing, lots of plants sales and gardening advice and even a little delightful music from the local Kimichi Music School’s Dynamica Strings before rain stopped play.

The team also launched a Children’s Art Competition. If anyone under 16 would like to enter click here to print off the application form.

Children sowing nasturtium seeds

Children sowing nasturtium seeds

Thanks to all those in the community who came along to play a part or to support the Village in Bloom. Over £150 was collected to go towards making Acocks Green Greener.

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Acocks Green Village In Bloom – Launch Saturday 25th April

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Kit Barlow

The theme of this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom project is:

Greener Streets: Better Lives, the RHS explains the theme:

Greener Streets: Better Lives is a new campaign to tackle the growing number of grey spaces spreading across our comunities and transform them into beautiful green places. It forms part of a wider RHS call to action to get the nation Greening Grey Britain, to address the creeping loss of green spaces across the nation’s towns, cities and villages.

So our local Village in Bloom team having been working hard all year to plan and improve the Green spaces around the village. Plans for this year include hanging baskets to grace the front of Acocks Green train station, more planting on both corners of Woodcock Lane and the team are asking businesses to put out planters and hanging baskets where possible..  The official launch of the campaign takes place at Mallard Community Orchard,  in Mallard Close, 10am-2pm.  All the details are below. Come along and find out more and this special event:

bloom lauch posterFRI

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New Adult Education Courses -April 2015

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Kit Barlow

The new Adult Education Centre Programme is out including some new courses at Stone Hall in Acocks Green. Click on the link to find out more.

Latest Birmingham Adult Education Centre Programme

Birmingham Adult Education Centre - Stone Hall, Acocks Green

Birmingham Adult Education Centre – Stone Hall, Acocks Green

Stone Hall will also be having an Open Day on Friday 10th July 11 til 2pm. Thinking about learning something new? Want to improve your skills for work? Then go along to the Open Day and find out what is on offer at your local Adult Education Centre.

 

 

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Springtime beside the Grand Union Canal, Acocks Green

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Kit Barlow

What a wonderful turn out of enthusiastic locals we had on Saturday for the first ‘Adopt a Stretch of Canal’ project we had. The sun shone and we met Steve Lambert the friendly and helpful Volunteer Co-ordinator from the Canals and River Trust. All equipment was provided and the group worked for 2 hours to fish rubbish from canal and towpath and other improvement work. There are lots more jobs planned for future work days including sanding and painting railings and other repairs and maintenance. Also a a working boat will be coming along our stretch on 29th/30th April and volunteers are invited to get aboard and help clear rubbish from the bank and water. Please contact us if you would like to be put on the mailing list for latest updates on how to get involved.

10am and volunteers gather on Vineries Bridge

10am and volunteers gather on Vineries Bridge

Two hours later - satisfying work, time for home and a cup of tea!

Two hours later – satisfying work, time for home and a cup of tea

The community spirit is running high as next Sunday 19th April volunteers are invited to come along to a Spring Clean Up Day at Westley Vale Millennium Green, with free refreshments for all helpers. All the details are here. Also check out some lovely spring photos taken by local resident Tom on the updated Westley Vale Millenium Green page.

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