Calling all those people who enjoy getting out in the local area, and have captured some good landscape format photos, or perhaps might be inspired to do so! Find an interesting scene/subject and make sure it is distinctively in or around our local area, for a chance to get your photo in next year’s calendar. You’ve got until 15th October to get photos to us. We will then get in touch with all those photographers whose pictures have been chosen.
All funds raised go back to the community. So look through your photos, or get out there and get snapping!
If you’ve never tried Tai Chi then now is the time. It is gentle exercise that concentrates on stretching, breathing and balance. In this free, easy-going, friendly class you will find the hour goes quickly and you will feel better for it!
Every Monday 3.15-4.15pm and Thursdays 10am to 11am at Westley Vale Millennium Green (off the Avenue). You can just turn up and will be made to feel welcome. And it is open to all ages and levels of fitness.
Only a few weeks until Acocks Green Village is judged again by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Judges. Village in Bloom need volunteers to help get the village looking its very best before Judgment Day. Can we keep up the run of GOLD Awards since our first gold in 2015? Read more about the great achievements of Village in Bloom HERE
There are over 30 stalls booked in to our event, as well as live music, Meet the bee-keeper, face-painting and seed-sowing. So make a date and support Acocks Green Village in Bloom too!
It won’t be long until we will see the many daffodils and tulips filling the planters and beds of Acocks Green. Just one reflection of the work by the Acocks Green Village in Bloom volunteers. As a way to raise funds for their continued work they have organised an evening of celebration that everyone is invited to. All the details are below. Come along and support their work and have an enjoyable evening in the heart of Acocks Green:
Newly-appointed Debbie White came along to our recent Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting and introduced herself. She is keen to work to improve our area and is available for appointments at Acocks Green Library on most Tuesdays. We look forward to seeing the benefits of her post.
The fund-raising calendar for 2023 is now available at S & H Jewellers and Jeffries Hardware . Lots of people sent in photos they had taken – a big thanks to everyone who contributed. It was a difficult choose just 13 photos out of over 100 submitted.
The calendar makes a great present, but is also practical, with lots of space to write appointments and has all the notable dates and bank holidays. So support Acocks Green and buy a calendar or two soon!
They will also be on sale at the Craft and Table Top Sale at St Mary’s Church on Saturday 19th November, 12 til 2pm (cash only at this event).
Following lots of objections and concerns about the proposed changes to the Westley Hotel the first publicised planning application has been amended by the applicant in an attempt to explain and address the planned changes.
A Statement from the owners explains their plans HERE
However:
No change to the planned extra rooms (33), more than doubling the current number
Loss of the Function Room
Loss of main Catering kitchen
This is a high number or rooms for a ‘budget hotel’ in a suburban area, so it will inevitably have an impact on traffic levels. Also once this important function room and venue is gone, it will never return and so our area will lose a valuable space for events and celebrations forever. There are also concerns for the long term use once the nature of the building is changed. If you have already commented, you can comment again, addressing the updates.
The pandemic and economic downturn has had its effect on most businesses, but people still need local spaces to use for special occasions and events. The economic climate will change. With the right management this could become a vibrant and much-needed social venue.
Most readers of our website will have spent many a time at the Westley Hotel over the years. It has been a landmark in our area for as long as we can remember. Family gatherings, nights out, social events, charity dinners, the Westley has been a wonderful venue for local people to come together. The Neighbourhood Forum were very sad to see that the owner has now closed the venue and has now put in a planning application for 33 more rooms.
Local people can object to by clicking HERE – just type your views where is says ‘Submit Comments Here’. Tell your friends and neighbours to share their views too. It needs to be done as soon as possible, although they will take comments in to account right up the the planning hearing. but don’t delay… do it TODAY!
If you want to read more about how to share your views about Planning Applications, read the previous post about this subject : PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum 