Why Whistles?

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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.

 

Patched up memorial before enhancement
Work completed – a transformation
Bloom Team and Library Staff

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

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Kit Barlow

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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Litter Pick along the Grand Union – Monday 9th June 7pm

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum has decided to go out and take action on the litter problem that blights the canal towpath and embankment.
We want local people to come along and help. We all hate litter and with an hour’s litter picking we can hopefully improve the look of our stretch of the canal.

Old Vineries Bridge. Woodcock Lane, 1794

Old Vineries Bridge. Woodcock Lane, 1794

Meet at the old bridge at 7pm for a community clean up – together we can make a difference.
Wear old clothes and bring gardening gloves if you have them. We have litter-pickers but if you have your own bring them along too.

If you are not part of a solution you are part of the problem – Eldridge Cleaver

 

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Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June – Community Festival at St Marys Church

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Kit Barlow

St Mary's community festival poster

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