Thursday March 05 2015
Village News
6th Bromsgrove Scout Group has launched a new Beaver Scout Colony in Catshill.
Crafty Ladies sell their handiwork
Members of the Crafty Ladies group, which meets in Alvechurch Library, are selling their handiwork in an Easter Sale at the venue.
Say hello to Vinny, the newest member of the Village team. . . he was created by Cynthia Lawton of the Alvechurch Knit & Natter group and sold in support of The Lounge.
Sinfonia offers youth and experience
The Midland Sinfonia presents two musical offerings this month, starting with a diverse evening’s entertainment from the Holborne Brass Ensemble.
Lickey and Marlbrook residents face more lorries thundering past their homes after an expert engineer said even more material must be imported to make the former Marlbrook Tip safe.
Must-see concert for music fans
The award-winning Orchestra of St John opens its fourth season on Saturday March 7 with a performance of Handel’s Messiah in St John’s Church, Bromsgrove.
One year on from a hair-raising accident that left a lorry teetering off the edge of Callow Hill Road, Alvechurch, the danger spot remains unrepaired and protected only by a flimsy temporary barrier.
A new scheme to improve pedestrian access to the schools in Alvechurch is being put forward.
Work could begin on 28 new homes in Alvechurch this summer, the parish council heard.
Villagers who want to make a difference in their communities are being urged to stand as independent candidates in the Bromsgrove District Council elections in May.
Plea to clean up Alvechurch ‘lake’
Councillors are keeping up pressure on Network Rail to carry out the promised drainage of the “Lake of Alvechurch” at the revamped rail station.
Network Rail has outlined its ideas for dealing with the “yellow brick road” foot crossings over the railway line at Blackwell, Cofton Hackett and Vigo.
A prominent avenue of poplar trees has been felled in Alvechurch, despite efforts by tree officers to save them.
Growing anticipation that a Green Belt review is imminent in the Village area has been quashed by district planners.
Father-and-daughter airline pilots found themselves sharing a cockpit for the first time after being paired together by “pure chance”.
An Alvechurch teenager is enjoying continued success in the world of cycling.
Alvechurch & Hopwood Cricket Club will have a total of six weekend sides playing in the Worcestershire and Cotswold Hills Leagues this season.
With women’s football becoming ever more popular, young girls are increasingly keen to get involved in the game – and although a few schools do now provide footballing opportunities for female pupils, it’s great to enhance this with some expert coaching.
An Alvechurch teenager is hoping to be crowned Miss Birmingham 2015 and raise money for a good cause at the same time.
Cyclist seriously injured on A441
Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was seriously injured on the A441 between Alvechurch and Hopwood.
Alvechurch skiffle band The Six-Five Specials will perform at The Lounge on Monday March 23 from 2–4pm, with proceeds going to the youth project.
Make new buddies in Alvechurch
Alvechurch Buddies is a new initiative set up by resident Ann Overs, with the aim of providing a forum for communication between members to promote a sense of caring, good neighbourliness, kindness and sociability.
Oakalls author Carmen Capuano is celebrating a successful 2014 in which she wrote two novels for young adults and a chick-lit book to add to her four-volume sci-fi series, The Owners.
Trefoil Guild gets crafty for charity
Members of Lickey Valley Trefoil Guild have raised £575 for a Kenyan children’s home through a series of events in 2014.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands . . .
Ten ways you can help The Lounge
The Lounge has a smart new sign featuring an updated logo, which reflects its charity status in supporting the extensive youth work in the parish.
Alvechurch Lions Under 9s are celebrating after lifting the Central Warwickshire League Cup.
An Alvechurch Middle School pupil has raised nearly £500 for charity by having her very long hair cut.
Lickey residents braved the January cold to enjoy a traditional wassail in the Lickey Hills Country Park.
New Year’s Day was celebrated in time-honoured fashion in Alvechurch, with morris dancing and the traditional ‘national news’ play.
An Alvechurch woman who played netball at international level has launched her own coaching classes to encourage youngsters into the sport she loves.
Lickey End teenager George Robinson is hoping for a bright career in magic – and he’s already been declared Junior Magician of the Year by one of the magic clubs he attends.
1st Barnt Green Beaver Scouts raised £145 from a bring and buy sale and donated the cash to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Sign up for fun at fourth Picnic
Alvechurch’s annual Picnic in the Park will take place in The Meadows on Sunday May 3.
Council seeks Wadderton promise
Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council has asked the owner of Wadderton Conference Centre on Greenhill, Blackwell, to confirm in writing that he no longer plans to demolish the historic building.
Village Views
District and county councillors should act solely in the interests of the residents who vote for them and represent the area they have been chosen to speak up for . . . how difficult can this be?
MARCH 2015
I am researching family history in the UK and was wondering if there is a repository that holds information on staff that worked at Hewell Grange
around 1900 to 1919?
May I contribute to your occasional series on wildlife in village gardens?
Regarding Marlbrook Tip, I have seen a number of emails asking the same questions and expressing the same concerns as when I spoke with Ruth Bamford, the Head of Planning for Bromsgrove and Redditch, in February 2011 and the lorries were halted.
As a small business owner who pays towards the upkeep of this part of The Square in Alvechurch and who cares about the safety of my customers, who are mainly the elderly and moms with young children, I find this sort of behaviour outrageous.
Toilet-stop drivers have no alternative
I was Parish Clerk of Cofton Hackett for many years and there have always been problems with bus drivers who have to relieve themselves after several hours on the road (The Village, February 2015).
FEBRUARY 2015
Difficult decisions are by definition unpopular with at least one group of people, and Alvechurch Parish Council’s decision to withdraw support for proposals which included building on village Green Belt land is no exception.
Meadows loses out in Green Belt vote
As someone who works with around 20 volunteers committed to giving youth access to sport, I will be ensuring that Alvechurch Parish Council puts everything it has available behind the development of changing and toilet facilities on The Meadows.
Hello, here we are again. . . a sunny but cold and clear day, 29/12/2014, 3.30 pm. A large smoky bonfire somewhere in Withybed Lane by the railway bridge.
A big thank you to the very kind gentleman – or should I say “knight in shining armour” – who came to my rescue on Christmas Eve when I was having some difficulty with a wheelchair.
My dog recently chased a deer across the field, jumped the fence and on to the railway line, just as the 16.05 from Redditch was approaching.
England should do more to celebrate its culture
I was disappointed to note the comments of the writer in the December edition of The Village (“How do we feel?”).
In case you did not see the temporary directions due to local roadworks in force to motorists leaving Ash Lane, Hopwood, at the lane’s junction with the A441, I thought you may wish to use this picture (below) for readers’ amusement in The Village magazine.
To a most irresponsible dog owner using Branden Road’s footpaths and residents’ gardens in Alvechurch as a toilet. You are disgusting!
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Village Features
Back in 2012 we printed the story of a Wellington bomber that crashed in Wythall during WWII, killing four of its crew. Two Village readers were inspired to learn more about the young New Zealand airman who died alongside his British comrades . . .
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands . . .
The Lawns care home in Alvechurch has been enhanced by an extensive refurbishment.
Never underestimate the power of the mind
Julie Hannan offers some advice from a psychological perspective.
Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton extols the virtues of a colourful medium.
A year after it opened, The Tea Shop in Barnt Green is toasting its remarkable success.
Village Archive: 10 years ago…
A look back at what was going on around here in March 2005.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Hannah Genders describes the creation of a special garden for the Malvern Show.
Make the most of your tax allowances as the year ends, writes Austin Broad.
Mary Green celebrates the countryside flora and fauna of early spring.
Alvechurch’s ancient and modern assets have been recorded in a detailed survey.
Village Review: Orphan Belle & the Last Circus
Louise Robinson samples fine dining at a Bromsgrove eaterie.
Why February is short but special
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Hannah Genders shares top tips to get your garden ready for the months ahead.
Mary Green sheds light on some of our seasonal festivals.
Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton signs up at a popular arts centre.
Increased flexibility makes NISAs even more valuable, writes Austin Broad.
Indica Campbell, daughter of UB40’s Ali, is launching her own musical career.
A Village reader’s trip to the Somme battle sites revealed a very local link to the tragedy.
Constantly waxing and shaving to get rid of unwanted hair can be a real chore – but Bromsgrove beauty therapist Anita Powell is offering a quick, easy and affordable way to be hair-free for good.
