Tuesday November 20 2018
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Village News
Villagers now have only a few weeks left to have their say on the future development of Bromsgrove district.
The Village guides you through the readathon that is the Bromsgrove District Plan Review Issues & Options consultation.
Plans for Christmas celebrations are well under way across the Village area.
Alvechurch resident Peter McHugh, who for many years has looked after the small garden behind the dentists’ practice as well as the hedge across the road from the Chinese takeaway, would like to pass on both jobs to a willing volunteer.
Don’t wait, it’s ‘on the list’
Barnt Green councillor Charlie Hotham has launched a campaign for clearer information on when work is to be completed by Worcestershire County Council.
An initiative to get councillors to debate their own demise will be heard this month.
A new defibrillator has been installed at Barnt Green Social Club, funded entirely through donations organised by villager Trevor Harris.
Comments on “social” media have prompted Alvechurch Parish Council to spend £450 on a risk assessment of the whole of The Meadows.
A poppy could be the centrepiece decoration on a new wrought iron overhead barrier for the gates to The Meadows playing fields in Alvechurch.
A “police pop-up” event in Barnt Green saw villagers share concerns with local officers, parish councillors heard.
Barnt Green Parish Council has decided to launch Smart Water in the village.
Blackwell residents have expressed concerns about large lorries using Linthurst Newtown to deliver construction materials to Wadderton on Greenhill.
The Cross Inn at Finstall has been declared Summer 2018 Pub of the Season by the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Police in call for photos of poor parking
Villagers are being urged to help police reduce the scourge of dangerous parking around schools at drop-off and pick-up times.
Following the success of its vegetable planter in Tanyard Lane car park, Incredible Edible Alvechurch will create a second village installation.
Barnt Green Parish Council will continue to press West Midlands Trains for improved signage at the village railway station after a “disappointing” response to their initial request.
Steve Ianson, the new men’s captain of Kings Norton Golf Club, Alvechurch, is helped into his official jacket by club chairman Bob Cashmore.
As featured on our November cover, Alvechurch WI and Youth at the Lounge have been working together to make poppy lanterns for use on Remembrance Day.
Festival trees return to church
Alvechurch Baptist Church is once again holding a Christmas Tree Festival, from Friday Nov 30 to Tuesday Dec 4, with trees decorated by 20 village groups.
Councillor’s warning on speed signs
Lickey & Blackwell residents have been warned not to take the law into their own hands by erecting homemade road signs.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.
Bridge players in Barnt Green raised £1,000 for Bromsgrove’s Primrose Hospice with a Café Bridge tournament plus a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
1st Lickey Cub Scouts created a special petition in the form of a mannequin as part of the Scout Association’s “A Million Hands Sticking Up for Mental Health” Campaign.
Lickey resident Sally Montgomery wonders if any readers can shed light on this post card, which was found by her cousin among some family memorabilia.
The final year of World War I was centre stage when the Lickey Hills Local History Society and the Lickey Hills Society held their annual Open Weekend at the Lickey Hills Country Park.
Plenty of visitors enjoyed the flowers, produce, crafts, stalls and games at a sunny Finstall Show.
Nine-year-old Ruby Liversidge, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
Older men who experience loneliness or isolation in retirement can meet new friends and learn new skills thanks to an Age UK scheme.
Crown Meadow First School in Alvechurch combined its Harvest Festival with a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, raising £1,185.
A film made in Barnt Green will be screened as part of the Birmingham Festival of Terror on Saturday October 28.
The grassroots initiative giving villagers a say in planning strategy is pressing ahead despite efforts by a number of housing developers to delay its progress.
Visually impaired residents in Barnt Green have been advised that an overgrown hedge obstructing the pavement is not “an imminent safety issue” – because they can just cross over to the other side of the road.
Tennis twins Simon and Paul Cowie went head to head in the men’s final of Barnt Green Tennis Club’s annual championship.
Work towards the installation of a footbridge over the railway at Cofton Hackett has finally begun, Barnt Green Parish Council heard.
Traders’ fears over lengthy road closure
Plans to replace the water main in Barnt Green’s high street have been met with concern by councillors and traders.
A 20mph speed limit through the centre of Alvechurch is back on the cards after a three-way meeting between the parish, district and county councils.
A group of Hopwood mums, with the backing of Alvechurch Parish Council, are a step closer to seeing their children playing on new equipment.
Fears of a rise in crime have prompted villagers to look at restarting a number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
Alvechurch Parish Council officially thanked assistant clerk Wendy Carney (right), who is retiring after 16 years.
The Village magazine is not the only local business celebrating its second decade – Hopwood Garden Centre also has its 20th birthday this year.
Village Views
NOVEMBER 2018
Too many councils for the coffers
With Worcestershire County Council recently announcing a £17.9 million projected overspend in their current year budget, and the six district or city councils within the county, including Bromsgrove Council, clearly also under financial constraints, surely it is now an appropriate time to revisit the potential financial and other benefits of the whole of Worcestershire being governed by either one or two unitary authorities.
Thank you to Howard Allen for his excellent letter, “Politicians are too car-centric”, which appeared in the October edition of The Village.
It’s good that The Village magazine highlights and has always supported the Alvechurch Parish Neighbourhood Plan.
If you think Brexit is a never-ending nightmare, then a foray into town planning might just tip you over the edge.
Twenty years on from our first issue, and what is most noticeable from a brief look at our coverage then and now is the resounding success of the housebuilding industry and their lobbyists.
OCTOBER 2018
Can I add to your volume of motor-related concerns.
Politicians are too car-centric
I was dismayed to read your article in September concerning our recently-elected “independent” politicians and their desire to “solve the growing parking problems across Alvechurch”.
Bonfires should be consigned to the past
While there is much talk presently of new and old Cofton Hackett coming together and new exciting plans going ahead, what a pleasure it was to experience on a warm end-of-summer’s evening, at no later than 6pm, the sights and smells of thick, white, acrid smoke.
Thank you to our parish council for our lovely flowers in Barnt Green this summer.
Links to poignant wartime tale
Your online article [originally published in July 2011] about the tragic crash of the wartime Blenheim aircraft was very interesting.
Many congratulations on 20 years of The Village!
SEPTEMBER 2018
There is an entry in our 1998 office diary from Monday September 28 saying, simply: “Village #1 to press.” And here we are, 20 years later, still just about to go to press, for the 193rd time.
I read with interest your August Village View concerning the “rat run” through Alvechurch, and would like to make the following comments and suggestions.
Roundabout signs are dangerous
It was interesting to read Sarah Rees’ report on the problems with the Oakalls roundabout (The Village, August 2018).
Long wait spoils benefit of new train timetable
In common with so many travellers who have looked forward to the extension of the Cross City line to Bromsgrove, I was dismayed to find that trains stopping at Barnt Green at 19 minutes past the hour result in a wait of over 40 minutes at Bromsgrove for a connecting train to Worcester and beyond.
AUGUST 2018
The extended closure of a village road has highlighted once again the problem of the “rat run” from Redditch through much of this area into south Birmingham and the growing Longbridge development.
Right then: Mr Julian Cobbledick of Cofton Hackett (Village Views, July 2018) has a point with regard to “strange lights” in the Lickey Hills.
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Village Features
Blackwell Concert Band hold their eighth annual Christmas concert at St Andrew’s Church in Barnt Green on Sat Dec 1 at 7.30pm, with all proceeds once again going to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Tale of skulduggery on the high seas
For their latest pantomime Alvechurch Dramatic Society are heading to the high seas for a tale of piratical skulduggery: The Lost Treasure of Numbskull Island.
Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith encourages participation in future art workshops.
Plant photographer Judy Lawrance shares her ideas on some colourful places to visit this season.
Start of winter brings great constellations
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Mary Green continues her series on trees in the Celtic calendar.
Martin Pryor provides tips on deciding how to invest and how much risk you want to take.
Stirring up some festive flavours
In our recipe series, keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, gears up for Christmas with a traditional mincemeat recipe.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
AFC out of three cups but on course for top-six league finish.
Would you like a Christmas to remember? Alcohol specialist Julie Ward can help you to enjoy drinking this season without going over the top.
Since setting up in business last year, Seamless Chauffeur has attracted plenty of customers – so much so that the firm has been able to expand and offer some additional services.
The Village Archive. . . 10 Years Ago
A look back at what was happening around here in November 2008.
The Village Archive. . . 20 Years Ago
A look back at what was happening around here in November 1998.
The Village Archive. . . 10 years ago
A look back at what was going on around here in October 2008.
AFC are involved in plenty of cup action this autumn.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Are you due a refund on power of attorney?
Government payout is also a reminder to sort out your ‘living will’, says Martin Pryor.
Mary Green continues her series on trees in the Celtic calendar.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Judy Lawrance, flower photographer, shares ideas for the next growing season.
Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith is thrilled by the talent of local embroiderers.
In our occasional recipe series, keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, creates a seasonal spiced bake.
Mary Green continues her series on trees in the Celtic calendar.
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