Silver Surfer Classes in Acocks Green

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Kit Barlow

ReCOM is a small local charity that believes that computers should be accessible to all. They run computer classes for the over 55’s and also sell low cost refurbished computers to individuals and voluntary groups and other charities.

If you are over 55 and want to learn how to use your computer, or would like to improve on your computer skills, in a relaxed and friendly setting then ReCOM’s classes could be for you.

A ReCom Silver Surfers Course

ReCOM will be running ‘Silver Surfer’ computer classes for beginners in Acocks Green from January 2012. To register or for more information phone 0121 663 0335 or email admin@recom.org.uk.

Posted in adult courses | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ahoy There Me Hearties!

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Kit Barlow

This week in Acocks Green – High Sea Adventures! Our local amateur dramatics group present a pantomime of pirates! All the details below.

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Prince’s Trust – Team 116 Final Presentation, November 2011

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Kit Barlow

The Neighbourhood Forum were invited to this event by the members of team 116, and the chairman was pleased to attend, which was held at The Acocks Green Baptist Church.

It was a very encouraging and enjoyable experience, being the culmination of the all their hard work and challenges, which followed their 12 week course and resulted in the presentation of certificates for achievement.

These courses are part of an on-going programme of the Prince’s Trust who are in partnership with West Midlands Police and Solihull College and also supported by many local businesses and agencies. Some of our local concerns who supported this initiative, were Sainsburys, Westley Hotel, Waitrose, Earlswood Nurseries, Jeffries Hardware, Cannon Hill Park Tea rooms presented a boat, Robert Wilkinson’s Funfairs donated 10 ton of sand, P.J. Rhodes, ASDA, Swan Trio, Severn Road School, Fox Hollies Children’s Centre, Acocks Green Baptist Church, Super News, Topshop, Jewsons Builders Merchants, Acocks Green Lions, Corus Hotels, Holiday Inns, La Tasca restaurant, Martell Timber Ltd, Gamestation, Soft Brick, Halfords Ltd and Willie Thorne.

The Prince’s Trust was formed in 1976, to help and support young people in achieving their potential and lead into training for education and job opportunities.

All the team were given skills, work training and experiences. They were able to develop relationships whilst working in teams and take up challenges at their time at an outdoors pursuit centre in Wales.

The team raised £2500, to support a number of projects in the community, Bag Packing at Sainsburys, Car Washes, Guess the number of sweets in a jar and arranged to raise bail monies for the release of’ Willie Thorne’ the snooker player, who entered in this fun event with enthusiasm. Some of the projects were building a beach play area for the Fox Hollies Children centre, meal out experiences, visits to a cinema and coffee mornings, for elderly residents.

Some of the team members reported that they had experienced earlier difficulties in their lives, but enthused that the course and experiences gave them opportunities to plan ahead and to improve their confidences. This was most evident from each of their personal presentations.

What was highlighted was the many challenges that we face in our communities, not least those that face many of our young people.

If you are in the age range 16 to 25, not in education, employment or training and reside in the Birmingham East Area and you may be interested to join the course in January 9th 2012, please do contact team leaders: PC Stuart Toogood or PCSO Fae Palmer on 07767749684.

This was a worthwhile achievement which challenged us to share and promote this good practice.

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stockfield Estate Community Survey – Please complete to help support a local charity access funds to tackle youth anti-social behaviour in Stockfield

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Sport 4 Life, the Stockfield Community Association, and Acocks Green Police are looking into the possibility of applying to a new funding stream from the Home Office called the Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund. If our bid is successful, we will use the funding to tackle the issue of youth anti-social behaviour on the Stockfield Estate by providing a programme of positive community activities for young males who are involved in youth ASB or are “at risk” of getting involved in youth ASB. These community activities would include a mixture of sports coaching activities and youth work/educational activities including workshops, volunteering opportunities and training courses. Activities would start in May 2012, and would take place in the evenings and at weekends.

Sport 4 Life would very much appreciate you taking 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSH62QB about your thoughts on youth-related anti-social behaviour on the estate. By completing it you will help give us the best chance of accessing funding for the benefit of the Stockfield community.

If you would like hard copies of the survey please let the Forum know and we will arrange for some to be sent out. Responses need to be received by the 25th November.

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Saturday Morning – Street Dance! ****UPDATE**** Project Finishes 18th Feb 2012

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Do you live in or around Stockfield? Are you female? Aged between 7-16 years old? Love or want to try dance for free? Then this a perfect opportunity for you!

Sport4Life UK, in partnership Stockfield Community Association are delivering dance classes at Cottesbrooke Junior School every Saturday morning FREE OF CHARGE!! A qualified dance instructor is delivering Urban Street Dance to the latest hits in the charts today.

The sessions compromise of two groups and sessions are every Saturday morning from 10am-11am (7-11years) and 11am-12pm (12-16 years). They are FREE to attend. The groups will also be working towards a Christmas performance in front of family and friends.

So why not go along, meet some new friends, learn some new moves and have some FUN!  For more information please contact Sport 4 Life on 0121 4294700

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Acocks Green Village to become a Business Improvement District

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Great news was announced on Friday, a YES vote won the recent ballot to make Acocks Green a Business Improvement District (BID).  The BID goes live in January, whereby businesses pay into a central fund to improve the village. This in turn helps improve visitor numbers and therefore more successful shops and businesses. Outlined below are more of the expected outcomes of a BID –

A thriving business community that:

  • Has the confidence to grow in a supportive and flourishing environment.
  • Puts the customer at the heart of everything the BID does
  • Prospers through collective promotion and new local supply chains.
  • Creates a better image for the Village to attract more local custom.
  • Works better together and with the police to reduce crime.

Acocks Green Village. Photograph courtesy of Birmingham Mail

Thanks to all those that helped arrange and champion the BID which will last for at least 5 years. Thanks especially goes to Melinda Brown, Town Centre Manager, who worked hard to make the BID a success and has worked closely with the Neighbourhood Forum over the years. We wish her farewell and success for her future, as her job role officially comes to an end on 31st October.

More information about Acocks Green BID is available at the link below.

https://sites.google.com/site/acocksgreenbid/home/announcements/businessessayyestobid

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Historical Music Evening enjoyed at the Library

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Local music-lovers took the opportunity to attend the October Swansong concert at Acocks Green Library, on Wednesday 12th at 7.30pm. The concert was attended by approximately 50 folk to enjoy a performance by The Linnaeus Baroque Ensemble, which featured Linnea Markgren, soprano, Lucia Capellaro, baroque cello, and Sara Wilander, harpsichord, all dressed in contemporary costumes.

The Linnaeus Baroque Ensemble performing at Acocks Green Library

With two members of the trio originating from Sweden, the excellent performance of the Baroque period included works by the Swedish composers H.P. Johnson, W.De Fesch and J.H.Roman, as well as the English compositions by G.F. Handel and H.Purcell.

The professional rendition by both harpsichord and cello, was superbly complimented by the exquisite singing, in Swedish, Italian and English, all word perfect with no reliance on the musical score or song sheet.

This performance appeared to have been enjoyed equally by the audience and performers and, with a delightful encore, we look forward to their return visit.

The next Swansong musical evening is on 23rd November at 7.30pm and features the CBSO Players, whose performance will include Arensky’s Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov’s string sextet. Tickets are free and available from the library

Posted in Events, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Study at University in Acocks Green!

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Edel Brangan is hoping there will be plenty of interest in the Warwick University English Certificate course in Acocks Green and enough people will sign up so the course can run.

This is a part-time, day-time, first year degree level course. Students joining these courses, which can work like mini ‘Access’ courses, may be considered later for a place on a degree course at a top university
– eight students last year gained a place – or they may study on these friendly two hour weekly ‘Certificate’ courses purely for interest and fun. Fees are £300 for the year or £200 concessionary rate.

Edel Brangan hoping to study a Warwick University English Class in Acocks Green this autumn

Edel said:
“I was really interested when I saw this course advertised. I think it is a fantastic opportunity to study a subject, locally, at degree level, especially at this price, and the Taster Session was great fun. I signed up on the spot”

On Julia Larden’s Saturday morning course (10.30-12.30) students will receive an introduction to the study of all the main branches of English Literature (novels,poetry and drama) at degree level. This course will take an ‘intertextual’ approach looking at the ways in which different literary texts can relate to, and run a debate with, one another. Why should we read Ian McEwan’s Atonement alongside L. P. Hartley’s The Go-Between, for example, or how did Wilfred Owen & Co in the trenches of the First World War react to Keats and Shelley?

Helen Maher who already has the English Certificate, but was now hoping to study for the History Certificate said:
“I have completed two Open Studies Certificate courses that have been the most well taught and engaging further education courses I have ever attended. I found both courses fascinating and it is wonderful that I was able to access these courses locally. Not only are the courses a pleasure to study in themselves but there is also the unique opportunity of using them as the basis to progress to the Part Time Degree course at Warwick University.”

For more information click here
or call University of Warwick, Open Studies, on 024 7615 1155.

Posted in adult courses, Events, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Supporting the Village’s Independent Businesses – “Backing Birmingham”

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Birmingham City Council have launched a major initiative designed to help promote independent retailers in Acocks Green and across the city.

The People Make Places campaign will help to promote local shopping areas, focusing on the independent shops. Central to the Birmingham initiative is the introduction of a free special card, known as the B Card, which will give Birmingham residents special offers and discounts at participating independent businesses during the month of October.

Acocks Green Village

Acocks Green Village, summer 2011

Participating stores will display ‘Backing Birmingham’ signs in their windows, with many businesses already signed up to take part in the scheme.

Councilor, Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council said: “It’s time to take pride in our communities, to make the most of our strengths and acknowledge that it is Birmingham’s people who make these places special. We hope that this campaign will encourage everyone to enjoy the great things that their community has to offer and, with the B Card initiative, encourage them to support their local independents.”

Look out for advertisments and posters featuring local people, appearing soon.

Leaflets promoting individual areas and their businesses will also be distributed across the City. Each leaflet will include a B Card and explain how the card can be used.

B cards are available to any resident of Birmingham. Also cards can be obtained by visiting www.BackingBirmingham.com or by cutting out the card on newspaper advertisements.


You can use your B Card in any outlet displaying a ‘Backing Birmingham’ sticker and there will be a regularly updated list of participating stores at www.BackingBirmingham.com where you also have the chance to win £100 to spend locally.

Any independent outlet who would like to find out more about the campaign can visit the website or call 0121 472 9009 for their free point of sale kit, while stocks last. There is no charge to take part and retailers and outlets can decide what special offers they would like to give to B Card holders.

Rachel James of Rachel’s Salon in Acocks Green said of the scheme:
“I think it’s a brilliant idea. This is my first business, and we only opened 3 ½ months ago so I’m fully behind anything that helps local businesses get more customers. I think Acocks Green has everything for shoppers in one small space.”

Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum is interested to hear your experiences. Have you got a B Card? What do you think of the scheme? Are you one of the businesses taking part? We want to know more about how this initiative is working in Acocks Green village so share your comments with us.

Posted in Events, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shopper’s Survey

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Kit Barlow

There is a new shopper’s survey taking place in the village, which will give an invaluable insight into how Acocks Green customers feel about the centre and how this compares to the survey that was carried out in 2008.

photo: Acocks Green Village Facebook page

There is one big change to the previous survey. This year the researchers are specifically targeting  efforts to actual visitors to the Village and for this reason it has been decided that the survey will not be available electronically.

There will be market researchers out and about in the Village in the next two weeks and there will have hardcopies available from:
Acocks Green Library
The Wright Way
Costa
Gossips Cafe
Banquet Cafe
Rachael’s Hair
Swan Trio

So be sure to make your feelings known about the village – our views could help shape the future of the centre, which will be of particular relevance if the hoped for Business Investment District (BID) goes ahead in the near future.

Let us know if you have seen the Market Researchers or spotted the questionnaires around the village.

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment