Sunday October 13 2019
Village News
Green Belt roll-back keeps Barntchurch on table
The controversial GL Hearn study, which outlines the concept of a “garden town” in the Village area, is still on the table as Bromsgrove moves into the next stage of its District Plan.
Litter-pick boost for green village
The campaign for a Cleaner, Greener Alvechurch, launched by independent district councillor Kate Van Der Plank this summer, received a boost with the introduction of a “Two-Minute Litter Pick” board at The Meadows.
Residential streets around Lickey Hills Country Park could become clogged with parked cars if charges are introduced at car parks serving the popular visitor attraction.
Price-check on nature site sale
The Friends of High House Woods, formed after the Lickey wildlife area was put up for sale, are applying to Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council for a grant to pay for an independent valuation of the site.
Barnt Green Parish Council took the opportunity to reiterate its “wish-list” for the village station during a visit by West Midlands Railway representatives.
It’s nearly time for Alvechurch’s annual Pumpkin Festival, which takes place this year on Saturday October 26 from 10.30am to 4pm in the village hall.
Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council has co-opted two new councillors.
The future of Worcestershire’s libraries, including in Alvechurch, remains unknown.
Over the summer, Beoley Parish Council has referred more than 20 incidents of uncontrolled dogs in the parish to Bromsgrove District Council’s dog warden.
Barnt Green Parish Council agreed to fund seeds for new planting in its wildflower patch on Hewell Road.
Blackwell residents are urging the parish council to press for “no HGVs” signs on Greenhill.
Barnt Green Parish Council almost had to downgrade their full council meeting to an informal discussion when only three councillors were present.
The lights could go out for Beoley residents in Watery Lane if the parish council decides to call time on the parish’s only owned lamp post.
A Neighbourhood Plan for Lickey & Blackwell and Cofton Hackett parishes is close to being approved by an independent examiner.
With the “worst winter for 30” years predicted, Beoley Parish Council has approved the purchase of a grit bin for residents in Portway.
The Friendship Matters group that began at The Lounge in Alvechurch this spring has proved a great success.
Almost half of the designated public open space on the CALA Homes “Foxhills” development in Barnt Green is behind locked gates, a councillor has revealed.
Madeleine Paterson, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition – and she got the good news on her ninth birthday!
Car park plan ‘still a benefit’
A new parish car park at Rowney Green is still on the agenda, despite a change of heart by a youth football team which had inspired the idea in the first place.
Work has begun on restoring the derelict wind pump at the top of Cobley Hill between Tutnall and Alvechurch.
A “2-Minute Litter Pick” board has been provided for Lickey End by Bromsgrove District Council.
Three village schoolboys raised more than £1,000 for Primrose Hospice as part of a charity challenge.
The Rev Sheri Gidney was officially installed as Vicar of Holy Trinity, Lickey and St Catherine’s, Blackwell, in a special “Collation” service.
Rowney Green Horticultural Society was delighted with the success of its annual show.
Finstall Village Show provided its usual colourful array of homegrown vegetables and flowers.
Tardebigge Fair & Show basked in sunshine.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.
The volunteers who look after High House Wood in the Lickey Hills have expressed surprise and concern on learning that the land has been put up for sale.
Village councillors want to stop vandalism by encouraging adults to talk to young people about the costs to the community.
Worzel Gummidge was the guest of honour as St Leonard’s Church in Beoley held its annual summer fete, this year with a scarecrow theme.
Cofton Hackett residents are pleading with councillors, police and their MP to prevent vehicles using Ten Ashes Lane as a “dangerous” cut-through.
Top award for village home design
A home in Alvechurch has won an architecture award.
New plans for the Burcot Garden Centre site have been submitted, after the previous application was turned down.
Beoley Parish Council has successfully persuaded Worcestershire County Highways to temporarily reduce the speed limit along the Alcester Road through Portway to 30mph.
Parish and district councillor Janet King has suggested residents write to county councillor Kit Taylor to ask for signage restricting HGVs from using Greenhill in Blackwell.
Bromsgrove District Council voted to declare a climate emergency, soon after the county council declined to do so.
Play area move to create room for car parking
A bold plan to solve parking problems at Rowney Green’s playing fields is being considered by Alvechurch Parish Council.
Warning notices are to be put on vehicles parking on the pavement in front of Barney’s barbers in Alvechurch, the parish council heard.
The red telephone box outside Alvechurch Post Office, which local churches want to adopt via the parish council, is a Grade II listed building, it has been revealed.
Beoley Parish Council is pressing Bromsgrove to take an appeal by travellers, opposing an enforcement order against an unauthorised planning development to create three caravan pitches in Beoley, to a public inquiry.
Village Views
What a fine mess there appears to be on a new housing estate in Barnt Green.
As Chair of the Lickey Hills Society (LHS), I would like to respond to the letter from John A Ridarta in your September edition.
Your contributor last month asked about the management of the Lickey Hills. I moved back into this area from Hertfordshire two years ago.
Police should listen to residents’ concerns
With regard to the issue of motorists using Ten Ashes Lane as a cut-through (Short-cut concerns, The Village September 2019), I find it interesting that the local police deem that the speed and volume of traffic was “not of a high level of concern”.
Law is clear and must be upheld
Your picture of one of the six identical road signs sited at the entrances to Ten Ashes Lane, Cofton Hackett, clearly shows a red circle.
Closing junction is not solution
I don’t agree with Steve Smith and his proposals that Ten Ashes Lane be closed at the junction with Barnt Green Road.
Saj is respecting ‘will of people’
I would like to comment on the September Village View, and firstly point out that, like our MP Sajid Javid, I also voted “remain” in the EU referendum.
Your September Village View bemoans local vandalism before going off on an irrational rant about Brexit.
What a charming and interesting article, Flowers for the future, by Mary Green in your September magazine.
OCTOBER 2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
Yet again, the chairman of Alvechurch Parish felt compelled at the council’s monthly meeting to urge adults to talk to their children about the costs to everyone of vandalism.
I would like to take the opportunity to clear up one or two misunderstandings in the letter about the new Cofton Village Hall in last month’s magazine.
May I appeal to the grown-up who gave a stencil set to a young child as a birthday present to take it back as soon as possible.
I wonder if any of your regular contributors know anything about the Lickey Hills – who currently manages this beauty spot and plans for the future?
I wonder when we will discover the fate of Alvechurch Post Office? The building has been sold, but nobody seems to know what’s happening.
Church could chip in for the hall
As a resident of Cofton Hackett, I was interested to read the article in last month’s Village regarding the apparent poor response from Cofton residents to appeals for funds to fit out the new village/parish hall.
Grubs to blame for wrecked lawn
Having read Keith Hughes’s letter “That’s the badger” (July 2019), I think I can shed some light on why this has happened.
Keith’s problem is a chafer grub. They are a larvae that live a couple of inches under the turf and live off the roots; then the rooks, crows, magpies, foxes and badgers feed off the grub which is very high in protein.
Alvechurch Football Club would like to thank the landlords and regulars at the Swan and Crown pubs who continue to support J’s football cards, which has been an amazing support for the youth section over the years.
With regard to Mr John B Holland’s response (July 2019) to my ongoing concerns about bonfires and their impact on air quality, we will just have to agree to disagree!
TheVillage magazine
villageonline.co.uk
villageonline.co.uk is published by Platform Publishing & Media Ltd,
The Limes
B48 7RR UK
Tel: +44 121 445 6757
All content is copyright of Platform Publishing & Media Ltd 1998-2019. For further help or information, please contact the Editor.
Village Features
The Village Archive. . . 10 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in October 2009.
The Village Archive. . . 20 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in October 1999.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Balancing the school fees equation
Private school fees are rising faster than the rate of inflation, creating financial challenges for parents, says Martin Pryor.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Mary Green gives a guide to different types of grain.
Hannah Genders creates an al fresco cooking area.
Alvechurch FC bounce back with unexpected league victory at faraway Leiston.
Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith hopes to inspire readers with his travel pictures.
The Village Archive. . . 10 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in September 2009.
The Village Archive. . . 20 years ago
A look back at what was going on around here in September 1999.
Anne Humphries, of Alvechurch Historical Society, introduces the restored windows at St Laurence.
Learn to drive with confidence
Whether you’re a new learner or a driver seeking extra confidence behind the wheel, AA-trained and Approved Driving Instructor Andy Rees can help.
A sense of history permeates every brick of this remarkable school, from the medieval Edgar Tower, housing the oldest classroom in the country, to the ancient College Hall.
Caring and supportive education
The RGS Journey offers an outstanding education for boys and girls aged from two to 18.
Bromsgrove School believes pupils are happiest when they are succeeding.
The happiness of the children lies at the heart of everything at Winterfold.
Pensions and divorce: not just about the split
Martin Pryor warns that pension rights can be overlooked when your assets are divided.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Alvechurch FC make steady progress at the start of the season.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Mary Green explains why wildflower meadows are so important.
Hannah Genders meets an expert on healing plants.
Journalist and former Barnt Green resident Nigel Hastilow has created a fictionalised account of true events that reads like a novel but reveals a fascinating insight into a “shameful conquest”,
Village What's On