Thursday July 18 2019
Village News
Trustees of the new Cofton Village Hall have made an urgent appeal for more funds, to enable the building to open this summer after a “disappointing” response so far from residents.
Council counts cost of vandalism
arish councillors are looking at ways to deter vandalism after a seat on the new play equipment at The Meadows, Alvechurch, was destroyed and stone seats were marked with paint.
Barnt Green Parish Council is hoping that long-promised lifts at the railway station may at last be a step nearer.
Village braces for parking woe
Barnt Green is braced for “parking mayhem” when Hewell Road closes for the water main to be replaced, although Severn Trent assured parish councillors that disruption would be kept to a minimum.
Husband and wife residents at Burcot Grange care home celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a traditional afternoon tea.
Barnt Green parish councillors have vowed to keep up the pressure on CALA Homes to give all residents access to a public right of way.
Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council discussed the idea of adding a new area to the parish after an enquiry from a resident of Staple Flat.
A bereaved father has launched a new children’s charity in memory of his baby son.
Lickey Community Group hopes to donate funds for lighting to illuminate the defibrillator at the Trinity Centre.
Cases of fly-tipping in Alvechurch worsened during May, including a three-piece suite and sheets of asbestos, district councillor Kate Van Der Plank told parish councillors.
The return of a car boot sale by Cobb’s Barn roundabout, Bordesley, has “caused a lot of anxiety”, district councillor Annette English told Alvechurch parish councillors.
New Alvechurch parish chairman Marc Worrall paid tribute to his predecessor as he took charge.
Alvechurch Parish Council will decide this month whether to continue to pay for surface water run-off at Alvechurch Social Club car park.
The Deedar restaurant in Barnt Green has improved its food hygiene rating from one star to four stars (Good), after an inspection in April.
The Lawns care home in Alvechurch had a bit of luck with the weather for its recent Garden Party, with the rain stopping just before the event began.
Eight-year-old Finnley Siembab, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
Alvechurch Morris celebrated their 30th anniversary with a day of dancing around the village, calling at The Weighbridge, The Crown, The Red Lion and The Swan.
Become a friend of Bittell Reservoirs
Barnt Green Waters is encouraging villagers to get involved in a new “Friends of Bittell Reservoirs” scheme, enabling them to enjoy and appreciate the amenities and to contribute to the site’s upkeep and improvement.
The annual Alvechurch Picnic in the Park was officially opened by Professor Sir Keith Porter and offered the usual feast of fun for all the family.
Barnt Green Hibs U13s celebrated another successful season in the Central Warwickshire leagues.
The Blackwell May Ball, held at Grafton Manor in Bromsgrove, raised more than £8,000 in aid of Blackwell First School.
Undeterred by the build-up of rain, rain, and more rain, the second GlastonBeoley charity music festival went ahead as planned – and beat its fundraising target.
Sarah Rees reports on the latest happenings on the Oakalls and Parklands.
Season of success for youth squads
Alvechurch United U7s have just completed their first season in football, winning the Central Warwickshire Autumn and Spring Cups along the way.
Drop in to learn about road closure
Residents of Barnt Green can find out more about Severn Trent’s phased closure of Hewell Road at two drop-in sessions.
An Alvechurch resident is taking part in the world’s longest mountain bike race to raise funds for Cancer Research.
The power of a “people’s plan” has been confirmed by a planning inspector’s rejection of three houses in the Green Belt at Hopwood.
17,000 cyclists took part in the 100-mile Birmingham & Midlands Velo, which came through the Village area.
An up-and-coming band formed by Alvechurch Middle School pupils is preparing to headline a charity gig at Artrix in Bromsgrove.
Alvechurch WI held a celebration to mark the group’s 90th birthday.
Alvechurch Village Hall celebrated its 90th anniversary, with committee members and helpers partying like it was 1929.
The new chairman of Alvechurch Parish Council is Marc Worrall, chosen unanimously by councillors at their May meeting.
The saga of the missing lifts at Barnt Green railway station rumbles on, with parish councillors seeking a meeting with the Department for Transport.
Villagers are being asked to complete a Bromsgrove District Council survey about CCTV provision in the area.
Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council agreed to support a motion acknowledging a “climate emergency” and to consider creating their own policy.
With the new Cofton Village Hall nearing completion, community groups have buried a time capsule on the site.
Lickey & Blackwell parish councillors expressed concerns over the safety of a half-demolished house on Woodshill Avenue, Lickey.
Crime in Barnt Green is at a low level, parish councillors heard.
After two years of trying, 11-year-old Emily Giblin, of the Oakalls, won a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
Alvechurch Knit and Natter, run by Cynthia Lawton and Daphne Cross, presented cheques to representatives of the three charities the group has chosen to support this year.
Village Views
JUNE 2019
The independent wave continued to wash over the Village area in the Bromsgrove Council elections. The whole tract from Redditch, through Beoley, Portway, Alvechurch, Rowney Green, Barnt Green and Hopwood to the Birmingham border is now represented by independent councillors.
Bonfire gripe misses the point
While refuelling my father’s bonfire on one of the many Sunday mornings during the 1940s, little did I realise that one day my actions may cause consternation to someone in the 21st century.
Reservoir Road has two new resident DJs on Cofton Hackett Radio (CHR). Myself (aka Dogtags) and my next door neighbour, Will, have our own shows at 8pm on Tuesday and Friday respectively.
It was good to see Nick Houghton and his two helpers from Where Next? Redditch planting out containers and putting up the hanging baskets in Barnt Green.
I would like to say a few words about a great friend who lived in Alvechurch for many years.
Having lived on the Lickey Hills for 20 years and the land having been in the family for 80 years, we have never been plagued by badgers – until this year.
Even though it’s summer and we usually give the bees in our bonnet a rest for a month or two, there’s one that just keeps buzzing around our head . . . and it is all to do with that fear we have of a looming Barntchurch.
JULY 2019
I would like to respond to John Impey and John Holland, with regard to my published concerns about bonfires in your magazine.
Let’s consign bonfires to past
I am amazed at the comment by John Holland last month (Bonfires haven’t killed me yet. . .)
Graffiti culprit must come clean
Despite the best endeavours of Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council, graffiti remains steadfast on street furniture including road signs, Virgin boxes and our weather station on Rose Hill and the Old Birmingham Road, Lickey.
An original bluebell poem offering for the “smile corner” of your lovely mag.
MAY 2019
How often have we or someone else said: “At least we’ll be able to make our voices heard at the ballot box”? Well, it’s been a long wait, four years since the last local elections, but at last the time has come to make a change at Bromsgrove.
Tories won’t stand up for village
I see that once again the Conservative Party has selected a district council candidate for Barnt Green & Hopwood who lives on the other side of Bromsgrove.
Village news or entertainment?
Many years ago, my boss advised me to regard the BBC and ITV news programmes as entertainment. Likewise, The Village magazine is just as much fun.
A number of residents in Rowney Green have raised concerns about the speed at which some cyclists go down Rowney Green Lane.
Bonfires haven’t killed me yet . . .
According to Mr Ridarta of Cofton Hackett (Bonfires have the potential to kill, April 2019) I guess I should feel exceedingly lucky to be alive.
In answer to the query (Remembering Robin, Village Views, January 2019), the bench at Alvechurch Marina is indeed in memory of our dear departed friend Robin Walden, as is the apple tree alongside The Weighbridge pub.
New homes will spoil Burcot’s beauty
I agree wholeheartedly with the comments in David Barton’s letter last month. I would like to add, “Democracy is a great thing – if only the authorities would use it more often!”
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Village Features
The Village Archive. . . 20 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in July/August 1999.
The Village Archive. . . 10 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in July/August 2009.
A professional driver based in Alvechurch has used his years of experience to found a new luxury transport company.
A village garden designer has won a prestigious award for the show garden he built at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
A friendly welcome and a relaxing experience awaits at Alfredo’s, the traditional barbershop in the centre of Barnt Green.
Building assets with infrastructure funds
Martin Pryor advises on the best way to invest in assets such as utilities and transport.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Alvechurch FC appoints new manager and signs extra players.
Mary Green explains why ‘the answer lies in the soil’.
Hannah Genders visits two Chelsea show gardens with an educational message.
Dave Morgan looks ahead to the annual art exhibition in Alvechurch.
Keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, makes a fruity treat.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Town festival brings culture to everyone
Now in its 59th year, the Bromsgrove Festival offers its usual wide-ranging programme of events for all.
Keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, makes a summery gateau.
The Village Archive. . . 10 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in June 2009.
The Village Archive. . . 20 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in June 1999.
Lickey Wills specialist Sue Jenden explains why it’s best to take expert legal advice.
Ageing is inevitable, but how we age is not
Society is changing. We’re living longer than ever before and the age profile of our society is changing rapidly.
Dr Alan Woollhead and Chris Tomlin, of the North East Worcestershire Beekeepers’ Association, explain how to identify different ‘buzzy’ insects and what to do if you have a honeybee swarm.
Keep your head: the psychology of investment
Martin Pryor advises on how our own biases can affect financial decisions.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Alvechurch just miss out on promotion after a thrilling season.
Mary Green explores why we call our flowers by so many names.
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