Public Meeting Thursday 10th June – 7.30pm

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Everyone in the area is welcome to come along to our next Public Meeting and AGM.  It takes place at the Church Hall on Yardley Road, close to the Police Station.   The meeting starts at 7.30pm and usually finishes around 9pm.  The Guest Speaker is Mike Byrne – Librarian of AG Library and Local Historian.  He will be giving a short presentation on the history of Acocks Green.

The Local Police will also be in attendance to update the meeting.  There will be an opportunity to raise any concerns or issues with the Forum.

Refreshments will be served.

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Westley Vale Improvements

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Kit Barlow

The Westley Vale Millennium Green has recently undergone some improvement work financed by Section 106 funding resulting from the nearby residential development. The majority of the funding has been spent on new sturdy fencing which improves safety and reinforces the footpath.

Westley Vale Millennium Green – New Fencing

Other improvements include new metal benches and hand railing.  The Millennium Green Trustees are also thankful to the paint company Indestructable Paint Ltd who supplied free of charge, the hard-wearing paint used for the Millennium Green’s gates.

Graham Armstrong from Indestructable Paint Ltd with the Millennium Green Trustees

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Swansong @ Acocks Green Library

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Another most enjoyable Acocks Green Library “Swansong” concert held on Wednesday Evening 19th May.
A programme for Cello Duets performed by Cellists Nigel Blomiley and Felicity Vincent. Both musicians gave a well received performance of five main compositions from
over the past three centuries.  In fact, the performances gave an impression that the musicians were very much in contact with the composers, particularly evident with David Popper and Friedrich Kummer.
 
Felicity Vincent studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and was with the Halle Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic. She studied with Vladimir Orloff and the cellist and teacher Janos Starker.
She has given solo and chamber-music concerts both sides of the Atlantic and at the Salzburg Orchesterhaus.
 
Nigel Blomiley did not begin musical training until he was fourteen.  By twenty he was playing professionally with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. In 1981, he was appointed principal cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra, touring Spain, Italy and Germany, as well as North America, Japan and Hong Kong.  Nigel relinquished his post with the Concert Orchestra in 2005  to devote more time to chamber music and teaching.  He has a commitment to developing and nurturing musical talent in young people.  He is also a coach to the National Youth Orchestra of wales.
 
The compositions for the two cello were as follows:-
 
Canon for two cellos  by Domenico Gabrielli : 1651 – 1690
 
Sonata in G major
Andante : Adagia : Allegro Prestissimo           : Jean Barriere  c 1705 – 1747
 
Duo in C major, Op 15
Allegro : Andante : Andantino avec Variations   : Julius Johann Friedrich Dotzauer 1783 – 1860
 
Duo in F major
allegro : Variations on a Swiss Theme                  : Friedrich Kummer 1797 – 1879
 
Divertimento No 1 in G major, Op. 4
Adagis : Andatino : Tempo comodo- Piu Andante-Presto : Giacomo Cervetto 1682 – 1783
 
Duet in A major, Op.  51
Allegro : Andante : Allegretto                                Jacques Offenbach
 
Suite Op. 16
Andante grazioso : Gavotte : Scherzo                    David Popper 1843 – 1913.
Largo espressivo : Marcia Finale

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Roll Up for Acocks Green Carnival Day – Saturday 3rd July

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green Carnival has been taking place for over 30 years.  As is the tradition it is on the first Saturday of July at Westley Road Recreation Ground.  

Its always a lively and fun day starting with a parade of floats, bands and representatives from local groups.  The theme for the parade this year is Science Fact and Fiction.  

Carnival Procession 2009, Westley Rd. Photo: Robert Jones

If your organisation would like to take part in the Parade, either on a vehicle or on foot, entry forms are available from Fox Hollies Forum or click here.  Closing date is 1st June.  And there are prizes for the best entry. Carnival Stewards are also required to escort the procession from Archbishop Ilsleys, Victoria Road to the Recreation Ground, perhaps you would like to help?  

Other ways to get involved are:  

There will be rides,  display shows and over 50 stalls to mooch around so come along for a family friendly day out.  

More information from Fox Hollies Forum (0121 706 0652)

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New Welcome Signs

Posted on May 2, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Village Sign, Shirley Road. Photo: David Treadwell

Have you noticed the new signs that have sprung up in the last couple of weeks?  On the main roads into the village new signage welcomes visitors to Acocks Green, helping to give our village more of a sense of identity. 

Some locals refer to it as ‘The Village’ and others call it ‘The Green’.  What do you call the shopping area in Acocks Green? 

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Birmingham City of Culture 2013?

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Have you heard that Birmingham is bidding to be the City of Culture in 2013?  This could be a great opportunity for our city by:

  • Improving the perception of Birmingham
  • Helping to deliver a diverse programme of events across the city
  • Boosting local economy
  • Involving local people, giving them a sense of pride and inspiring new talent

There are lots of opportunities for people to get involved by sharing their thoughts and ideas, including a 24 hour blog which takes place from Friday 24th April to Saturday 25th April – asking for people to talk about their experiences of Birmingham.  

If people of Birmingham back the bid by showing support and promoting the campaign then we can increase our chances of winning this world-renowned title.  You can also follow the campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow the link to find out more: www.birminghamculture.org

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Successful Spring Clean Up

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Kit Barlow

It felt like springtime at last down at Westley Vale Millennium Green on the Sunday before last.  Thanks to the pleasant weather there was a record-breaking turn out of volunteers.  After lots of litter- picking, planting, dividing bulbs and general tidying up the group enjoyed a well earned cuppa and biscuit.    Thanks to everyone who came along to help out.  If you would like to join in next time let the Forum know and they can ask the Trustees to put you on a mailing list.  Apart from these special organised events many local people pick up litter regularly when walking through Westley Vale and encourage others to keep the space tidy and litter-free.  

If you are not familiar with the site then why not explore this little oasis with access from  The Avenue, the end of Malvern Road and The Old Vineries canal bridge.   There is lots of nature to enjoy at this time of year –  listen out for the woodpeckers who have been making themselves known recently.

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Family Fun In Acocks Green Village This Easter

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Acocks Green Village traders have teamed up with the Village Partnership this Easter to offer families an Easter Bunny Trail.

Ten giant bunnies have taken up residence around the Village and all children have to do is follow clues to find the bunnies, and then complete a tiebreaker question on why they and their families like shopping in the Village. The winner and runners up will be awarded a selection of Easter goodies donated by the participating businesses and the Village Partnership.

Karen Vaughan from the Village Partnership and owner of Karen’s Estate Agents  said  “We’re keen to do more to encourage families to come into the Village, particularly if they haven’t done so before, or haven’t been for sometime, and don’t realise the broad range of shops and services we have to offer.”

Melinda Brown, Town Centre Manager for Acocks Green added “Our local shops have a great deal to offer, including a fantastic range of independent and specialist outlets.  Our Easter Bunny Trail is a great way for both regular shoppers and those who don’t tend to shop locally to have a good look around.”

The Easter Bunny Trail runs from Thursday 1st April to Thursday 15th April.  Entry forms are available from Acocks Green Library, and must be returned to Acocks Green Library by Saturday 17th April.

Or you can download a PDF of the form here:  Easter Bunny Trail – entry form

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Come Along to our Public Meeting

Posted on March 21, 2010 by Kit Barlow

Everyone in the area is welcome to come along to our next Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting this Thursday, 25th March at 7.30pm. 

The venue is the Community Hall on the corner of Yardley Road and Alexander Road.  Refreshments will be served.   There will be guest speakers – Melinda Brown, our Town Centre Manager, who will keep us up to date with the developments in the Green.   Also Jan Quigley from the Emergency Planning Team will be talking about how communities can be prepared for emergency situations.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and raise any local issues or concerns.  The meeting normally lasts about an hour and a half.

Come along and find out more and why not invite your neighbours?

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Help Conserve the Conservation Department!

Posted on March 21, 2010 by Kit Barlow

We have been notified by the local campaign group – Acocks Green Focus Group  about a worrying development in city council cut backs.  The Forum and especially the Focus Group, have worked hard to try to preserve some of the original and historic buildings of Acocks Green.  The Birmingham Conservation department plays an important role in helping preserve our architectural heritage.  Therefore it is not surprising that great concern has now been expressed by Birmingham’s conservationists and local historians that on 23rd February 2010 the Council approved a budget plan to disband Birmingham City Council Conservation Department, in order to save £350,000 a year.  

The AG Focus Group have set up an e-petition to object to this worrying plan.  Click on the link to:  sign petition

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