Bus + @ Fox Hollies Park & Lots More Summer Activities

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Kit Barlow

More holiday activities going on in Acocks Green this week, including the Midnight Bus for older children, and soccer skills sessions at the Leisure Centre. Click on image below for all the details and  to see the timetable:

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School Holidays- Free Children’s Activities

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Kit Barlow

Kids bored already? Free school holiday activites going on in Acocks Green, see below for all the details:

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Acocks Green – Village in Bloom – Update – Digging For Victory

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Kit Barlow

*******UPDATE**********The Village in Bloom judges are in Acocks Green this Thursday 26th July. The tireless, enthusiastic and green-fingered Fran Lee and other volunteers have been working hard to make Acocks Green look more colourful and tidy. Look out for them in their High Viz jackets and if you have any spare time to help then just have a word with them or contact Fran on the number below. This is an ongoing project to make our village a more pleasant environment to shop, work and live.

Acocks Green Village has been entered into the Urban category of Britain in Bloom, with the full support of Sandy Gianni our BID (Business Improvement District) Manager.

Nowadays Britain in Bloom is not just about flowers.  One important factor is the community element.  This project is bringing together The Council, Residents’ Associations and volunteers in general who understand the need to enhance our village to ensure that it is a pleasant place in which to do their shopping.  Entrants into ‘In Bloom’ tell us that part of the enjoyment is meeting like-minded people with civic pride.

Fran Lee and other volunteers working hard to clear weeds

Another very important element is Environment Responsibility.  The council along with Amey have undertaken to replace or repaint benches, replace bins which cope wth cigarette butts and to deep clean the pavements.  It is also working towards banishing litter and graffiti.

Volunteers have gardened together, firstly on the central reservation to improve its appearance before our first Farmers’ Market.  The ‘Blooming’ Coalition was apparent as Iain Bowen (Lib/Dem) and John O’Shea (Labour) assisted with some challenging tasks and other volunteers worked for hours in pouring rain to achieve our goals.

Volunteers tidying the beds ready for planting on The Green

Let’s pull together and put the ‘Village’ back into Acocks Green!

Contact: Fran Lee, Heart of England in Bloom – Part of R.H.S. Britain in Bloom e mail fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk 0121 706 0076

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Acocks Green Farmers Market – Saturday 21st July

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Kit Barlow

The second Acocks Green Farmers Market is tomorrow (Saturday), 9am til 3pm on the service road on Warwick Rd, opposite Holy Souls Church.

Shoppers at Acocks Green’s first Farmers Market, June 2012

Lots of delicious local produce and goods available. Support our village and spend your money at the Farmers Market and the shops of the village.

The forecast is warm with sunny spells too.

The Farmers Markets will continue on every 3rd Saturday of the month. For all the info click here

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Notes from our last Public Meeting – 19th June

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Kit Barlow

Although it was the night of an England match of Euro 2012 there was a great turn out from the public. Here are key notes from the meeting:

  • Jonathan Jardine, Policy Manager, WM Police Authority, spoke about the proposed arrangements for the Elected Police Commissioner, abolition of the Police Authority and setting up of the Police and Crime Panel to monitor work of Commissioner.
  • Ibrar Uddin from MIND on Community Cohesion and the 7 projects being organised in Birmingham based around mental health.
  • Les Williams from BCC Waste Management answered questions covering dumped rubbish, green waste collections.  Re-leafleting roads with collection dates to avoid confusion.
  • Glynne Edwards Hall – overwhelming opposition to proposed planning application to demolition of this hall from those present at the meeting. Following this the Neighbourhood Forum opposed the planning application to demolish the hall.
  • Up-date on proposed conservation area for Acocks Green from Jon Morris.
  • Sgt. Mark Fellows and PC Ian Davis  gave crime figures from April to meeting down 11.2% overall and answered questions.  Priorities ASB and vehicle crime. Also outlined proposed Streetwatch scheme.
  • Refurbishment of Acocks Green Train Station with two lifts being installed by 2014.

Thanks to the  Birmingham City Councillors and representatives from other community groups who were there to keep us informed of goings on. Thanks also to  the all the public came along and shared their views with the organisations. We hope you found it helpful and interesting. The next Public Meeting is Tues 30th October,  more details to follow.

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Farmers Market and Funday – Were You There?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Kit Barlow

Despite the dreary weather the first ever Farmer’s Market in Acocks Green went well. There was a buzz around the village with many shoppers enjoying the lovely local produce and other stalls. Locals came and spoke to those of us on the community stall.  As the day progressed the sun made a brief appearance and lots of people enjoyed the entertainment on the stage.

Don’t forget that the Farmers Market will take place every month on the third Saturday of each month.  Sandy Gianni the (Business Improvement District Manager) and her colleagues worked hard making sure that everything went smoothly. Lets hope that the market continues to attract lots of shoppers and helps keep the village as a prosporous and thriving shopping centre.  The next market will be Saturday 21st July.

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Were you there? What did you think? What was your favourite purchase?  Did you take any photos you would like to share? Just comment on this post to give us your feedback.

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Top Brass at St Mary’s Church

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Kit Barlow

David Treadwell-  chair of the Neighbourhood Forum, describes the wonderful concert that took place at St Mary’s church as it opened its doors and arms to the whole village and beyond last weekend.

Birmingham Brass Band at St Mary’s Church, Acocks Green

 “It gave us all another opportunity to celebrate the community and ourselves.  The themes were most appropriate and the chance to witness all the hidden talent in the village, from the Village Primary Schools, up and coming recorder players, the fantastic Ninestiles School Swing Band, The Scouting & Guide inspired songs, all the careful efforts taken with the themed flower displays, the evening concert from The City of Birmingham Brass Band, the refreshments & Tea Room, we could go on but we must not forget the friendly welcome from all those present on this special occasion. Sunday saw a special Festival Service were we were joined by members of our Uniformed Youth Organisations, who presented and paraded their flags and Standards. Also the opportunity for a number of members to be enrolled during the service.

On a point of general interest, we had an opportunity to speak to the Brass Band, and they informed us that the band was originally formed in 1944, by the aircraft manufacturing factory at Castle Bromwich, who had the highest output of any UK aircraft factory producing 20 Lancasters and 320 Spitfires a month. After the war the band became part Fisher & Ludlow, later becoming the Pressed Steel Fisher Band. In 1976, the band was formally recognised by the City Council for its major contribution to civic life, and the band adopted its present title, the City of Birmingham Brass Band. Since then, it has been entertaining audiences in major concert venues across the West Midlands, as well as abroad. They are currently based at The Joseph Chamberlain Six Form College, and are often to be heard at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  You can also visit them on their website www.birminghambrass.co.uk.  They also asked if they could be invited back on future occasions. Thank you St Mary’s for giving us a special weekend of celebrations. Well done!”

Thanks David for your uplifting review of this event and the well shot photographs. Good to see the Burne Jones stainned glass window captured in the background too.

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Farmers Market and Fun Day – Saturday 16th June

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green village will be the place to be on Saturday 16th June when the Farmer’s Market comes to town. As well as activities for kids and stalls loaded with tempting fresh products,we are honoured to have King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys entertaining the shoppers: ‘the finest, most authentic Rhythm & Blues band ever to come from outside the USA’.  Thanks go to the Business Improvement District (BID) Manager, Sandy Gianni, who has made this day happen. The Farmers Market will be a regular monthly event, so mark it on your calendar and make sure your friends and family know about the exciting developments going on in our village.

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Funding to Improve Acocks Green through Community First

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Kit Barlow

Grants of £250 to £2500 are available for community groups and not-for-profit organisations who want to make a real difference in Acocks Green.

Westley Vale Millennium Green in Spring

Are you interested in starting a project that will do any of the following?

  • Improve the environment of a local park, green space of public realm
  • Improve the range of positive activities for young people
  • Improve the health and wellbeing of residents of the Acocks Green Ward
  • Bring different communities within the Ward together
  • Help local people gain employment

If you have something in mind, apply as soon as you can.

The application form and everything you need to know is on the Community First website:

http://thecommunityfirst.net/acocksgreen/

 

 

 

For all the information you need please click on the link.

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Stone Hall’s Spring Course Programme

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Kit Barlow

There are a wide selection of varied new courses starting at our local Adult Education Centre in Acocks Green this Springtime.  From introduction of Floristry, Ceramic Jewellery Making, Spanish Conservation and taster sessions in Caligraphy, Growing Vegetables and Hat Making, to name just a few and  some of them are free.  The Have A Go courses are taster sessions so you can decide whether its for you.  There is lots more information on their website.  Click on the link below and scroll through the wide choice. For more information you can give the centre a ring.

Course List and more information 

Student, Brenda Crockett outside Stone Hall

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