Acocks Green – A Business Improvement District

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Kit Barlow

At our recent Public Meeting Town Centre Manager Melinda Brown supported by local businesswoman Karen Vaughan from Karens Estate Agents explained the proposals to make Acocks Green Village a Business Improvement District (BID).  There are many of these districts around the UK and several in Birmingham including Kings Heath and Erdington.

A Business Improvement District is a partnership between a local authority and the local business community to develop projects and services that will benefit the trading environment within the boundary of a clearly defined commercial area.  Becoming a BID will help to bring improvements to Acocks Green Village shopping area and make the village a better place for shoppers and traders alike.

Acocks Green village (picture from Atholl Lodge website)

To become a BID, local businesses must first vote to pay funds into a pot which is then available for centre improvements such as floral displays, better appearances for vacant properties, community toilets, seasonal street events, or extra street cleaning.  Businesses pay in according to their size.

If you are a village shopper and think BID is a good idea why not mention it to the local shop keepers and ask them to support the BID scheme.  For more details on BID click the link below for up-to-date information.

Acocks Green Business Improvement District Website

Possible BID projects:

  • Expanding & improving the Village Radio scheme
  • Creating a Village website to promote all businesses
  • Professional training for businesses and their staff such as marketing, customer service & business planning
  • Enhanced Christmas Lights & planting
  • Seasonal street based activity / entertainment
  • Promoting the evening economy
  • Promotional materials e.g. Village magazine
  • Marketing to property agents
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Acocks Green Superheroes Carnival – 2nd July – Programme Details

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Kit Barlow

As well as over 50 stalls (including Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum’s stall), Youth Stage, Bird & Flower Show, Football Tournament & Fun Fair there’s lots to watch in the main arena – see below for the running times:

Main Arena 

10.00am  Five-a-side Football Tournament

10.30am  Community Dog Show

12.00pm  Registration Cage Bird Show

1.00pm Closing time for Flower Show Entries

!.00pm Carnival Procession leaves Archbishop Ilsley School, Victoria Rd.

1.30pm Procession arrives at Carnival Site

1.45pm Presentation of prizes for best floats/walking entries

2.00pm Rialto Dance Academy

2.30pm Sin Yu Aikido Self Defence

2.45pm Fox Hollies Forum Line Dancers

2.00pm Madden School of Irish Dancing

3.15pm Tai Chi Deomonstration

3.30pm Silver Shadows Majorettes

3.45pm Zeroes to Heroes

4.15pm Mad Dominic

4.30pm Carnival Raffle Draw

Look forward to seing lots of you there!

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Acocks Green Carnival this Saturday

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Don’t forget that this Saturday 2nd July,  is the community get-together at Westley Road Recreation Ground – the Annual Acocks Green Carnival.  It will be open from 12 noon and the parade will travel through the village from Archbishop Ilsleys, Victoria Rd   to the  recreation ground.

Acocks Green Carnival Procession. Photo: Robert Jones

There will be 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 why not come along for an entertaining afternoon.

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‘ReCOM celebrates Volunteers’ Week at the Bowling Alley

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Kit Barlow

 Some of ReCOM’s volunteers were ‘bowled over’ with a fun evening at Acocks Green Bowl held to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June 2011.

Recom Volunteers enjoying evening at Acocks Green Bowl

ReCOM is a local charity helping people get on-line with computer clubs, IT training and low cost refurbished computers. We would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in volunteering within our charity. If you would like more information as to what we do and how we help the local community, please call on 0121 765 5282 or email itmad@recom.org.uk.’

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Report from our Public Meeting & AGM 19th May

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Kit Barlow
Our 16th Annual General Meeting, held at Acocks Green Baptist Church, with Forum Residents, Councillors, other Visitors and Guest Speakers, including Lord Hunt Chair of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted, the financial report submitted to the meeting and accepted.
It was considered appropriate, with the current “Health and Social Care Bill” passing through Parliament, to invite a representative from the Trust, with an introduction from Lord Hunt, which was most interesting and well received.
Our understanding of the current structure of the NHS, is having the four main hubs of care delivery of GP Surgeries, Hospitals, Community Care and Social Care.
It would seem that the the central aim of the reform is to be an integration of all levels of care and Patient/Public engagement to be centre stage.
Heart of England Foundation Trust is very much involved with Patient/Public engagement, through and with the following headings.
3 Local Hospitals (Heartlands, Solihull, Good Hope) and the Birmingham Chest Clinic.
National Agenda-Patient Led Services
Move towards ‘Experience’
Measuring and monitoring of this ‘Experience’ (PALS, surveys, ‘Back to the Floor’, User Groups.
Patients and carers-better informed, with high expectations.
Rising demand, aging population
Work with the community in partnership, not in isolation, with GPs, Care Homes, community organisations ect.
They are a resource to be used by the community! 9 Staff, Blood Pressure, Health Advice, Nutrition, Schools)
Public Sector-stricter financial controls, less resource in communities although more demand.
HEFT opportunities for valuable experience-volunteering, apprenticeship programme.
Change how they work with communities.
Patient and Public Involvement Manager:Jamie Emery 0121 434 3322 jamie.emery@heartofengland.nhs.uk;
Election of Committee & Executive for 2011/12.
All the previous Committee had agreed to stand for re-election, with the exception of Rebecca Doherty, who will be leaving us in Acocks Green,  other parts.  Thanks and appreciation was recorded for her past support and involvement. Also thanks and appreciation for the support & advice received from our past councillor Penny Wagg.
Our new Councillor Stewart Stacey, was invited to take the chair during the election of officers for the committee.  David Treadwell was elected Chair and the executive members duly elected were Mike Clarke, Ann Clarke, Ged Hughes, Stephen Cox, Martin Young, Ricky Joseph, Amanda Baker, Amanda Spencer and Nancy Turner.
A call for any further nominations was made to the meeting and the name of James Corcoran was offered and duly elected.
The City Council has supported the establishment of Neighbourhood Forums, since the forming of Ward Committees in 1991, as a means for ensuring local people can influence the way local decisions are made.
The development of Neighbourhood Forums and the promotion of active citizen involvement in local communities are essential components of the City Councils policy in achieving excellence in Communities.  They provide support to Neighbourhood Forums and encourage their involvement in Partnership working adds to the value of this commitment.
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Whitsun Half Term Activities

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Kit Barlow

The local holiday camp will be offering the usual fun and lively activities for children ages 8 to 13, here in Acocks Green. Details below for bookings.

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Baroque Music Night – Update – This evening (Wed) at St Marys Church

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Kit Barlow

******Update – this delightful baroque musical group are playing this evening at St Marys Church in Acocks Green, 7.30pm.  Free Entry, donations at end of concert*********************
Local people were delighted by an evening of Baroque music at Acocks Green Library on 11th May.  Consort Pléon are a group of music graduates from Birmingham Conservatoire who play with authentic Baroque instruments. Sharon Reading-Firth plays Baroque Oboe, Maria Larsson & Rens Claerhoudt Baroque violins, Lucia Capellaro Baroque cello and Sara Willander accompanied all the musicans on harpsicord.

Consort Pléon perform as part of Swansong

The group peformed a selection of sonatas by the composers Handel and Corelli and completed the programme with Albiononi’s Concerto for Oboe and Strings in D Minor.

The musicians also  explained the difference between their Baroque instruments and their modern day versions, as well as the way in which the music would have been performed at the time.

The well-supported and much-appreciated musical evenings are part of the programme known as Swansong, organised by recently retired librarian Mike Byrne.

The musicians explain their Baroque instruments

The next scheduled  Swansong Evening is Warley Male Voice Choir, back by popular demand, who will perform in the library on Wed 27th July, tickets are free and available from the library. A collection is made at the end of the evening.

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Acocks Green Carnival 2nd July – All the Info!

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green’s Community Event of the Year is busy being planned.  Every year the Carnival offers a wide variety of local groups the opportunity to come together in one place to stage a great family event with entertainment, activities, lots of stalls and refreshments.  Below is all the information about the Carnival and how you can get involved or promote it to anyone who may be interested. Just click on the pictures below to see all the details.

Introduction Page
Procession Stewards required
Calling Performers for Youth Stage
Procession Entry Application
Flower Show Rules
Flower Show Entries
Dog Show Details
Five a Side Football
Procession Details
Bird Show Information
Charity Stall Application

The procession through Acocks Green Village has the theme Super Heroes this year, leaving from Archbishop Ilsleys, Victoria Rd at 1pm and arriving at the site, on Westley Road recreation ground, at around 1.30pm.

Are you taking part in this year’s carnival or is your organisation going to be present at the carnival this year? Let us know so we can share it with readers.

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Silver Surfers Course

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Kit Barlow
Acocks Green based IT Charity ReCom are offering a new beginners course after Easter in our area.  People over 55 who want to learn how to surf the net and feel more confident on a computer are welcome to come along.

A ReCom Silver Surfers Course

Venue: Archbishop Ilsleys Community Meeting Rooms
(limited access up flight of stairs)   Next to Holy Souls Church, Warwick Rd, Acocks Green
Date:  5th May  – 14th July  (no class 2 June)
Cost: £30 for the full 10 weeks
Time:  12.30-2.30pm
For more information and to register or find out more  phone: ReCom on : 0121 765 5282
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School Holiday Fun

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Kids bored already? 8+ Play Opportunities is right on our doorstep and the 11 route and offers lots of fun activities during school holidays.  Thanks to Yardley Constituency  funding this organisation is able to offer low rates.

 

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