Free Family Activity Sessions – Tuesdays 3.30pm

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Kit Barlow

The Birmingham ‘Be Active’ Campaign is running Fun Family Activity Sessions at Cottesbrooke Junior School every Tuesday during term time in the School Hall from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The scheme is supported by Birmingham City Council and the NHS and is run by a fully trained fitness instructor.

The hour long session sees children and parents/guardians exercising together in an accessible and enjoyable way.

The classes have been running since October and the adults that have participated  said that the Be Active scheme offers a great way to get a bit fitter no matter what your shape or size and have fun with your child.

You can just turn up on Tuesdays at the Junior School Hall (off Cedars Avenue, Acocks Green).  Wear some comfortable clothes and bring a drink of water.  If  you would like more information you can phone Adam or Sarah at Sportswise on 713 1661 – quote  ‘Be Active’.

Sessions are for any local families with children aged 4 to 11.  All participants must have a Birmingham postcode.

Children must attend with their parent or guardian. A maximum of 4 children must be accompanied by 1 participating adult.

The scheme is funded until Spring 2011.

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Community Gardening – An Inspiring Talk

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green Library 2pm  –  Saturday 27th November.

A free talk by Nick Green on the  ‘Incredible Edible‘  project which has inspired the residents and businesses of the town of Todmorden, to grow more vegetables.

A chance to hear directly about the experiences of Todmorden in encouraging people to grow more of their own food.  They have enthused the town and grow food in some of the most imaginative places including in front of the police station and on lots of other public, semi public and private land. As well as having been featured on television the approach is inspiring similar schemes across the country including in Birmingham (Erdington and Ladywood) and in London.

Don’t miss this chance to be entertained and inspired by one of the movements founders.

For more information on the Todmorden scheme see

www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk

This talk is free and has been sponsored by the three Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forums
Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum
Fox Hollies Green Neighbourhood Forum
Greenfields Neighbourhood Forum

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Vale Volunteers

Posted on October 30, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Thanks to all those who joined in at the Westley Vale Clean-Up on Saturday 16th October.  Lots of locals  took part including Fox Hollies Scout Group.

Tea Break for the Volunteers

The sun shone and workers cleared path edges, pruned, lay woodchip and planted bulbs.

Scouts and Volunteers at the Westley Vale Millennium Green Autumn Clean Up

Autumn is a great time to enjoy the changing colours and appreciate our treasured open space.


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Spooky Half Term Activities

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Fox Hollies Environmental Centre on Greenwood Avenue (off Shirley Rd), are inviting local children to their centre to meet the animals and take part in Spooky Crafts.

From Monday 25th, from 2pm til 5pm (10 til 4pm on Saturday) craft sessions will run at a cost of £2 per session.

All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.  For more info phone 0121 706 0652

Also Acocks Green Library celebrates Halloween for 6 to 12 yr olds on Saturday 30th October.  From 3.15 to 4.15pm there is a Spooktacular Bash – games, stories crafts and a prize for the best fancy dress costume.  See staff to book your place or phone 464 1738

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Autumn Clean Up – Come Along & Help

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Kit Barlow

This Saturday – 16th October, the trustees of the Westley Vale Millennium Green are organising an autumnal tidy up of the site.  Everyone in the area is welcome to come along and get stuck in with  some practical help – to clean up our treasured green space.   Volunteers are invited to meet at 10am at the gates on The Avenue,  (or just turn up when you can).  Equipment is provided but gardening gloves are a good idea.  Refreshments free to all workers.

 

Volunteers enjoying their tea break at the Westley Vale Spring Clean-Up 2010

 

At the spring time tidy up there was a great turn out of  enthusiastic local people – lets see if we can match the crowd of last time.

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Yardley Festival – Its Good to Be Young

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Kit Barlow

The Yardley Festival is a week long programme of events for children and young people running during the October half term week – 23rd to 30th October.

There are lots of free activities taking place during half term in our area – from sport, music, canoeing, dance and beauty and jewellery workshops.  You can pick up a programme at the local libraries or check out the website:

http://www.igtby.com or you can phone 07917 172554.  Details are also available on Facebook.

Most activities need to pre-book so make your choices and get booking now!

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Come Along to our Public Meeting

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Kit Barlow

This Thursday –  30th September at 7.30pm at the Baptist Church Hall.

Why not come along and find out more about your neighbourhood and meet with others from the local community.

Our guest speaker is from Birmingham charity called the Jericho Foundation.  They work as part of the Best Network and help unemployed people in our area find work.

Refreshments served.  Meeting usually closes around 9pm

where: Baptist Church Community Hall, Yardley Road, corner of Alexander Rd, close to the Police Station

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Walk 4 Life – this Sunday 26th Sept – 4pm

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Kit Barlow

We all want to be a little fitter & healthier, and walking is such an easy way to improve your health:  It doesn’t cost anything, you don’t need any special equipment, you can vary the distance and speed, and you can chat with people at the same time.  You also get to know your local area better, watch the changing seasons and hear the birds sing!  How many reasons do you need?

Cottesbrooke Walking Group meet every Wednesday at 9am at Cottesbrooke Junior School and always welcome new walkers.  As a special one off walk this Sunday the group will be doing an easy circular walk, as part of Walk 4 Life, here in Acocks Green.  The walk is way marked and measures 1.5 miles so should take about an hour maximum.

Meeting point:    no.11 bus stop close to Yardley Cemetery Gatehouse opp Mansfield Rd.

Time: 4pm Sunday 26th September

distance: 1.5 miles

duration: approx 1 hr

details: level, no steps,  pushchair-friendly

Everyone welcome but NO DOGS allowed in cemetery

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Be Informed and Be Prepared

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Floods, tornados, power cuts, road traffic accidents, burst water mains, gas leaks – you never know what might happen in our area! However forewarned is forearmed.  Birmingham City Council has a free service to keep us informed of such incidents. You can be prepared by receiving up to date emergency texts, or voice mail messages to your landline, about emergency incidents that occur in your area. Sign up to receive Birmingham community alert messages. It only takes a minute. Use the link to find out more information about this hi-tech free service.

Be Prepared Link

If you do not have a mobile phone, registration forms are available at most neighbourhood offices, libraries and leisure centres.

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Get on Board the Carnival Campaign

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green Carnival has a long and successful history in our area and is one of the few community organised events that can boast a street procession.  The organising committee plan the details of the day well in advance and are always looking for new ideas and input from enthusiastic people.

The first committee  meeting for plans for Acocks Green Carnival 2011 takes place on Thursday 23rd September at Acocks Green Methodist Church on Shirley Road at 7pm.  Maybe you or your organisation would like to get involved in making the day an even greater success.  This is a great opportunity to put something back into our local community.  Or perhaps you work with young people who might like to get more involved in promoting the carnival and encourage others to take part?

Acocks Green Carnival Parade 2010, Photo: Robert Jones

For more information you can contact the carnival committee via Fox Hollies Forum, Greenwood Avenue, B27 7RA, tel: 706 0652

For a taste of last year’s wonderful carnival click on the link to Robert Jones’s wonderful photography collection:

Acocks Green Carnival Photos 2010

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