Advance of the Wheelie Bins! *** Updated with video****

Wheelie bins in the Acocks Green Ward will be delivered during the month of October. However do not start using them until week commencing 24th November. A leaflet with all the information you need will be with the Wheelie Bin and a calendar of the new collection dates.

Watch this new video made by local school children:

From November our recycling and rubbish collections are changing. The council has recently been posting out information about the new wheelie bins.  They will be delivered from October if your household has been deemed appropriate, having received a ‘Green Card’.  Each suitable household will receive two wheelie bins, one for household rubbish and one, with separate compartments for recycling.

Wheelie Bin Deliveries will start from the end of September for up to 8 weeks for all suitable (green card)  households.  Each household will have 2 wheelie bins, (unless a request has been received for a second recycling bin from larger households) . Each bin will be fitted with a microchip that will be associated with the property address.  Each bin will also be marked with an address label that states the house number to which it was delivered. An information pack will also be provided, including a collection time calendar, bin use instructions and information about the green waste bin collection service. New bins will be sealed with a tape which will remind residents not to put the new wheelie bins out before the start of the scheduled collection times, as shown on your calendar.

Large Households – If your household consists of 6 or more people then if you wish you can also apply for a larger household rubbish wheelie bin and an additional recycling bin. You must however contact the council by Tuesday 2nd September to put this additional request in. You can complete the form at the website:  www.birmingham.gov.uk/wheeliebins or phone them on 0121 303 1112 (Mon to Friday, 9am-5pm)

Collection of old bins and recycle boxes  – a date is to be arranged for the collection of your old dustbins and recycling boxes.  Alternatively, residents can keep their old bins/boxes or take them for disposal at the Household Recycling Centres.

Start of Wheelie Bin collections –  This will commence from 24th November 2014

Possible Change of Delivery Day – Because of the major changes to the service, there may be changes to your current collection day. You will be informed if this is the case when the bins are delivered.

Non Wheelie Bin Properties –  If you should receive a ‘red card’ which informs that your property is not suitable for wheelie bins there will be no change – you will remain  and continue with black-bags/recycling boxes.
-Blocks of high-rise flats will not receive a card. These properties are already on communal collection services with large containers and they will remain unchanged.
-Houses in Multiple Occupation will receive an information leaflet which informs of what can / cannot go into each of their bins.  There is currently a mix of collection services at such properties and the opportunity will be taken to standardise these as a communal collection service for both rubbish and recycling wherever possible. This will be carried out  from September, separate from the main assessment and delivery of new wheelie bins. . Blocks of flats comprising 4-8 properties will also receive an information leaflet which informs them likewise. As these also have mix of services and the opportunity is being taken to standardise these on a communal collection service for both rubbish and recycling. This will be carried out on a bespoke basis during the autumn.

Don’t forget more information can be found at www.birmingham.gov.uk/wheeliebins

 

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Enter the Mythical Maze Reading Challenge

If you want to encourage the kids to read more then this is the time – the Summer Reading Challenge is taking place at libraries across the country including Acocks Green Library. Children aged 4 to 11 are invited to sign up to the challenge which involves reading 6 books over the school holidays and writing reviews. Stickers and rewards are given out free along the way. Its a great opportunity to be part of a national club of reading and it’s all free and on our doorstep.

Print

To check details of opening times click on links below:

Acocks Green Library

South Yardley Library

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Why Whistles?

Many locals and people passing through the village may have been struck by the display of whistles on the central island in Acocks Green. Yes they are whistles! A floral display was designed and produced by Birmingham City Council for this year’s entry into the Chelsea Flower Show. The design represented the contribution that Birmingham made to the First World War. As it is the centenary of the beginning of the WWI, it was felt this would be a poignant display. The whistles were used by advancing troops as a signal to their fellow soldiers. Acme Whistles are still made in Birmingham and have a long history, including being used on the Titanic and are the whistle of choice for football referees.

The Acme Whistle Display

The Acme Whistle Display

Also included in the orginal display were other remembrances of the First World War – including a BSA folding bicycle, a train that carried the troops to the war, a biplane, horses, carrier pigeons and dogs, all of  which played vital roles in the war effort. The different elements have now been separated and many appear in the current Birmingham City Centre’s floral trail. We are lucky in Acocks Green to have part of this award-winning and poignant display.

The whistles were in place just in time for the Village in Bloom judgement day on Tuesday 15th July. So the Bloom team were delighted to have this addition to their work around the village. To read more about Acocks Green Village in Bloom click here

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School Holiday Activities

Click on images below, to enlarge


There are also lots more activities around Birmingham during the school holidays, many of which are free. A Family Daysaver costs £8 on the bus, (Up to 2 adults and 4 Children).

Click the link to see a full list of activities around Birmingham:  Fun in Brum

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Village in Bloom – Commemoration

Thanks to Fran Lee for this uplifting news story –

Some of  the members of The Acocks Green Village in Bloom team had been looking after the War Memorial in front of our library since 2007 and this has been carried on with even more gusto since Acocks Green  entered into the Urban Category of Britain in Bloom in 2012. To echo the poppies of Flanders Fields, the garden here was planted with mainly shrubs and perennials which flowered red, backed up in Summer with annuals again which flowered red.

When gardening here, it was noticed that some of the paving when damaged had been replaced with concrete. Some thought was put into this problem and it was decided that as it was 2014, the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, something ought to be done to rectify this problem, preferably by re-paving the area in its entirety.  It had to be this year. The Bloom team approached E.H. Smith, a local builders’ merchant to see if they would supply the pavers to us as they had provided bricks for the Orchard created last year.  To our joy, they agreed.

 

Stewart Stacey, the local councillor who serves as a Cabinet Member on Birmingham City Council, spoke to Acivico the company which sources the contractors for council premises and again they came to the rescue and found a contractor, Kendrick Construction who agreed to lay the pavers.  It all happened in the blink of an eye at the end of June.  As promised, Coleman & Company, Demolition Contractors appeared with their skip one morning and the contractors worked until 9 p.m. to get the pavers laid on the same day which meant that no prolonged inconvenience was caused as this area provides access for wheelchair and pushchair users.

We did not forget!

Fran Lee
Co-ordinator – Acocks Green Village in Bloom

 

 

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A Delightful Evening of Music at St Marys

At the end of June, Swansong presented another enjoyable and cultured evening of music in the decorative and historical surroundings of St Marys.

The audience of around 60 people were entertained by talented musicians Sally Minchin on violin and Rich Hughes on piano. The programme offered great variety; the first half featuring classical pieces by Grieg, Debussy and Elgar and interesting contrasts such as Saint-Saens Danse Macabre and the haunting Theme from Schindler’s List by  John Williams.

After a break for refreshments the duo presented some wonderful swing tunes, influenced by the legendary Stephane Grappelli, including Cole Porter’s  Anything Goes and My Funny Valentine by Rodgers and Hart.

The Swansong concerts are always a pleasure and everyone is welcome.  Admission is free but there is a collection at the end of the evening to show our appreciation for the musicians.

The next concert is Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and other Italian masterpieces On Tuesday 16th September at 7.30pm.  An evening of classical music in beautiful surroundings, come and enjoy a cultured evening here in Acocks Green.

 

 

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Acocks Green Carnival this Saturday – 5th July

Roll Up, Roll Up for Acocks Green’s annual Community Get Together at Westley Road Recreation Ground (next to the Bus Garage).  There will a parade from Archbishop Isleys, Victoria Road, leaving at 1pm,  through the village and up Westley Road to the Carnival ground.  The show will officially open from around 12 noon.

Over 50 stalls, displays, rides, shows, refreshments and much more.  Also there will be plenty of  opportunities to find out more about Acocks Green and some of the organisations that are connected to the area.  The Neighbourhood Forum will  also be holding a stall, promoting the Forum and selling some interesting plants to raise funds.  So come along for an entertaining afternoon in Acocks Green.

 

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Swansong Concert this Tuesday at St Marys

Come along to the historic Church of St Marys, Warwick Road, on Tuesday (24th June) for a musical evening featuring classically trained musicians – Sally Minchin (violin) and Rich Hughes (piano). The evening promises music to suit all tastes, from classical to jazz and there will be an interval where tea and coffee with be served. There is a collection at the end. Everyone is very welcome. The concert starts at 7.30pm

The Burne Jones Stained Glass Window.

The Burne Jones Stained Glass Window.

The church also boasts a beautiful stained glass window by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne Jones, so hopefully the evening sunshine will be illuminating the window for full effect at the concert.

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Outdoors Fun

Now the Summer is upon us its a great time to get outside and enjoy the garden. House of Play and Education have launched a new Children’s After School Club.

Garden Adventure Club

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Community Clean Up along the Canal

Thanks to the eleven people who turned up for the litter pick along the Grand Union Canal on Monday 9th June.
Although litter is an on going problem, it was good to stop moaning about it and actually make a difference. So it was with a sense of satisfaction that within an hour or so we had collected 10 bags. What we need to work on now is encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish more considerately.

 

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