Spring Time in the Millennium Green

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Kit Barlow

The Westley Vale Millennium Green Trust has been very fortunate in being awarded several hundred tree saplings by The Woodland Trust.  The trees need to be planted on the site as soon as possible so the trustees are asking for local people to join in and help with a spring clean up and tree planting on Saturday – 19th March. They are looking for as many volunteers as possible to help with the planting and it would be wonderful to have a large group photograph to send to The Woodland Trust showing our appreciation and the site of the new  potential ‘forest’ !!   Full details below:

Westley Vale Millennium Green Trust

The Avenue, Acocks Green, Birmingham 27

The Trustees invite you to join us on site  on Saturday 19th March 2011, Between 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Rubbish-bags/tools provided. Energy and enthusiasm required!

Free refreshments for all volunteers

All Welcome – Meet at The Avenue entrance at 10.00 am

 

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Plans for the Baptist Church Hall – Feedback from Consultation

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Stockfield CommunityAssociation and the baptist church have been in touch with us to pass on updates from the recent consultation process. We are publishing their comments as they passed them on to us. Click the link below to read their report.

Consultation Feedback

What do you think? Please let us know. If you have something to say about the proposals you can also contact Stockfield Community association or the church directly.

Church and Glyn Edwards and Arthur Moore Community Halls

Artistic impression of new building, courtesy of AG Focus Group

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ReCom – maybe you can help?

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Do you use the internet?

Can you send an email?

Have you got good communication skills?

A ReCom volunteer

Do you live in postcodes: B25 – B28, B36, B37,B40 or B90 – 96?

The Acocks Green based charity ReCom are looking for Buddies to help people, who are tied to the house for whatever reason, to use a computer to keep in touch with friends,
write a letter or shop on-line. Could you offer some help?

To find out more phone ReCom on : 0121 765 5282

or send an email to: itmad@recom.org.uk

You could make are real difference to someone’s life

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Unemployed and 18 to 25? Team-up with The Prince’s Trust

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Kit Barlow

If you’re unemployed, unexcited and unsure of your future, here is an opportunity to get you going: The Prince’s Trust Team programme.
They have a new programme starting in our area at the end of March.

 

Is it for people like me? The Team Programme is for UK residents aged 16-25 who are unemployed. It’s free and will not affect your Jobseeker’s Allowance. It is ideal for those whose lack of confidence or qualifications are holding them back.

What happens on the course? You will, among other things be part of a team of around 15 people for 12 weeks take on community projects of your choosing have an action-packed residential week get two weeks’ work experience.

What’s in it for me? Practical skills that help you in a job and in life. Belief in what you can accomplish. Career advice and help with job-hunting and your CV. The chance to make a difference in your community. A nationally recognised qualification, Improved chances of moving into a job, education or training.

How to apply? Click here for the Prince’s Trust website or call 0800 842 842 for more info.  Or you can contact the local organisers directly on the number at the bottom of this post.

The Princes Trust initiative is in our area is lead by Police Officer Stuart Toogood and PCSO Fae Palmer, working alongside the Princes Trust and Solihull College in delivering a 12 week programme, leading to a City and Guilds Qualification.

To contact PC Stuart Toogood or PCSO Fae Palmer directly the numbers are below:

0345 113 5000 Ext: 7824 6664

Mobile: 07767 749 684

The first programme will start on 28th March and due to end on the 17th June 2011.

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Report from Public Meeting – 10th February 2011

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Thanks to everyone who attended our public meeting last Thursday.  It was lively and informative.  Two representatives from the Planning Department, Ian MacLeod and Doug Lee, discussed the Core Strategy 2026 – the strategic plans for our city. The council are looking for feedback from citizens on the proposals and you can comment until 18th March. For more information and if you would like to share your views with the council go to: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/corestrategy

Also thank you to Melinda Brown, Town Centre Manager, who gathered lots of feedback about Acocks Green Village from the attendees, who were asked to write their views on flipchart paper under various headings.

Sgt Mirams from Acocks Green Police also updated the meeting with the latest news, including that good news that the PCSOs in Acocks Green will not be affected by cutbacks and so will continue to support the local community.  There has also been an increase in burglary in our area which the force are working hard to address.

Councillors Penny Wagg and Roger Harmer were also present, responding and taking note of people’s concerns regarding the recent road resurfacing and other issues.

Councillor Roger Harmer
Councillor Penny Wagg

 

John Green from Waste and Fleet Management was also present to discuss waste issues and inform us of changes in waste management in the area which will now be looked after by a local team.

There was also a heated discussion about the Church Hall where the meeting took place and the plans by Stockfield Association to demolish and redevelop the site.  Many people have a real attachment to the present building [called the Glyn Edwards Hall] and are concerned about losing it to  see it replaced by glass fronted modern building. (For images of the proposed development go to the Acocks Green Focus Group website post : click here

If you would like to get more involved in the Neighbourhood Forum and join the Executive Committee to help make a real difference to our area then please contact us through this website.

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Come along to our next Public Meeting

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Kit Barlow

This is a warm invitation to our next Public Meeting on Thurday 10th February at the Baptist Church Community Hall on the corner of Yardley Road and Alexander Road, 7.30pm

Our guest speaker will be a representative from Birmingham City Council who will be discussing the Core Strategy which, to put it in simple terms, is the long term plan for the development of Birmingham over the next 25 years.  The council is interested to hear citizen’s views on how they would like to see the city shaping up. The people who live and work in the city can help to shape the future our city.

Melinda Brown – our village Town Centre Manager will also be present at the meeting and will be asking for resident’s views on Acocks Green village, as a more local focus.

We would really like to see a good turn out from the neighbourhood for this opportunity to share views and ideas with people whose job it is to shape our city’s future. You are also welcome to just to come along and listen.

Everyone from the local area is welcome. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and usually finishes around 9pm.

On the same day as our Public Meeting, Thursday 10th February, there will also be a consultation of the Core Strategy at Acocks Green Library.  You can call in at any time between 9.15am and 4.45pm and tell the council representatives what you think of the plans.  What is important to you? How can Birmingham be a better city? Let them know.

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Resurfacing work – Douglas Road

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Local residents and drivers  please note after last week’s resurfacing of Alexander Road, week commencing 31st January Douglas Road will be resurfaced, so it will be closed for 4 days. Allow extra time and find alternative route or means of transport.

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Smithy’s Cafe – A Long History

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Kit Barlow
Thanks to a local resident, Ross, for an interesting article and photos about the long history of our local friendly cafe on Yardley Road.
I wonder whether Margo Hitchinson and Ethel Baldwin foresaw that the cafe they opened at 73 Yardley Road with £50 capital in 1936 would still be thriving seventy-five years later. They named their business 4 O’Clock, which surely evokes a vision of home-made cakes and dainty cups of tea.

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We can not know what the two ladies would have made of the He-man’s Breakfasts and Belly-Buster Baguettes sold there in the brash 1980s under the Cabin Cafe banner, but I am sure they would approve of the friendly and efficient service and modern menu offered in recent years by the present owner, Lisa Smith, under the new name Smithy’s.
Ross Cameron
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Westley Vale Millennium Green Celebration – 8th January 2011

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Thanks to the Westley Vale trustees, local people and scouts who worked hard to make the celebration of our Millennium Green a great success.  The weather was fair and the local pagan group gave the Green a very special blessing. Our Lord Mayor, Councillor Len Gregory, honoured the site by planting a tree. We are fortunate to have this special green space in our area, long may it flourish for our community to enjoy.

Local people celebrate our Westley Vale Millennium Green

Here are a few photos that capture the day.  Click below:

Westley Vale Millennium Green 10 Year Celebration

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Landmark Development

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Kit Barlow

Stockfield Community Association, together with Acocks Green Baptist Church have unveiled some interesting plans for development of the Baptist Church site to provide improved community facilities and they would like local people’s views on what they’ve developed so far.  They are holding three open sessions in the next week for local people to call in and find out more.

Baptist Church Hall, Yardley Rd

Acocks Green Baptist Church lies at the heart of the Stockfield neighbourhood.  It’s a landmark building, but it also hosts a wide range of community activities and groups, from children’s centre activities to lunch groups for older residents; from coffee shop to community meetings.  It’s a valuable resource for the community, but has also presented some challenges which have meant that neither the church nor the local community have been able to use it to its full potential. Their aim is to improve on this.

architectural sketch of proposed development

Over the last couple of years the organisations have been asking people what could be done to improve the church site. They have listened to what facilities people have said they’d like to see locally so that Stockfield can have a welcoming, well equipped centre for the community.  They’ve also been working with architects, planners and others to develop some exciting ideas, but they continue to need input to ensure that they get it right.

The open sessions will give people the opportunity for local people to hear about what has been done, the concepts for the church site, and comment on the ideas.  You’ll be able to find out what’s been done so far, see a model and plans of how the development could look, ask questions and share your comments and ideas.  Each session will start with a brief presentation, followed by time to discuss and engage with the team involved.  The session times will be:

  • FRI 21ST JANUARY 1PM
  • FRI 21ST JANUARY 7PM
  • SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY 11AM

The Neighbourhood Forum encourages people to attend  one of these sessions at the church and help shape these plans to create a thriving community centre for the neighbourhood.

For more information please contact Jon Miles on 0121 7457

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