Monday September 25 2017
OPEN the latest issue of The Village in a new window
Village News
Have your say on Neighbourhood Plan
Alvechurch residents are invited to comment on the parish’s Neighbourhood Plan during a three-day exhibition of the plans at the Baptist Church from October 5–7.
Spend an evening with ‘Blind Dave’
Villagers have an opportunity to spend an evening in the company of marathon runner and fundraiser extraordinaire, Dave Heeley – AKA “Blind Dave”.
Barnt Green held its first Busking Festival in August, with local musicians from a variety of genres entertaining shoppers and residents.
Alvechurch’s well-known skiffle band, The 6-5 Specials, have a new CD out, with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Research.
A community transport scheme linking several of our villages looks set to become a reality after gaining approval from parish councillors.
Residents on the new CALA estate in Barnt Green reported being shaken from their sleep by two explosions on the site shortly before midnight on August 17.
Crown Meadow First School in Alvechurch celebrated its 50th birthday in style, with staff and pupils dressing in fashions from the past five decades.
Music festival offers local talent
Blackwell Music Festival takes place once again in the grounds of Hunters Hill School, from 1–9pm on Saturday September 9.
The Bilberry Wake, a traditional annual festival in the Lickey Hills, featured picnics, crafts and hobby-horse racing for all ages!
The Alvechurch Knit & Natter group have raised cash for Brain Tumour Research through sales of their knitted goods.
Barnt Green’s annual free Community Walk will be held on Saturday September 23, with villagers of all ages and abilities invited to join in.
Alvechurch is getting ready to go pumpkin crazy, as the countdown to the village’s first-ever Pumpkin Festival is under way!
Barnt Green parish councillors are encouraging commuters to park on the new CALA Homes car park, which is now open and free for all to use.
Kings Norton Rhinos Rugby Club are raring to get into the new season, with preparations well underway throughout the Hopwood Park club on Ash Lane, Hopwood.
For the second year running the Summer Fete at Grosvenor House care home in Alvechurch featured the announcement of the winners of the art competition set up and supported by Kamal Khan, co-owner of both Grosvenor House and Tutnall Hall.
Alvechurch resident Ross Dustan is raising funds for Cure Leukaemia by taking part in a 100-mile cycle challenge.
Organisers of the biannual Alvechurch Open Gardens event (which takes place on June 23 and 24 next year) are hoping a few more residents would like to show off their gardening skills.
Village reader Mark Winson sent us some close-up images of interesting sights around Alvechurch – can you identify where this one is?
Bumper day for animal charities
More than 2,000 people visited the Jinney Ring Craft Centre in Hanbury for “Animals R Magic”, a fun day in aid of The Cinnamon Trust and local animal charities.
Blackwell First School’s Summer Fair offered plenty of family fun and games, including skittles, football, performances by pupils and a baking competition.
Nine-year-old Kavya Maganty, of Barnt Green, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
Mentor Link, a charity that provides long-term dedicated social and emotional support to vulnerable and distressed children and young people, is seeking a male mentor to support a boy in school with additional learning needs.
Bromsgrove Photographic Society is holding an exhibition of members’ prints in the Meeting Room at Bromsgrove Library, until the end of August.
Helen Doherty, retiring clerk of Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council, was presented with a gift by councillors in recognition of her service.
Wildlife photographs on display at lecture
Bromsgrove Photographic Society starts its new season with a visit from a world-renowned photographer.
Alvechurch FC celebrated its past, present and future when the FA Cup trophy paid a visit to the club, as the team prepared to play in the competition’s preliminary round
Blackwell residents campaigning against Network Rail’s decision to close the village’s railway crossing point and replace it with a diversion are urging villagers to submit their objections before September 14.
Rowney Green Village Hall presents an evening of music and comedy on Sat Sep 16.
Guess the close-up (No. 6): ANSWER
Did you guess correctly?
A morning’s training in how to use the new defibrillator mounted outside Hopwood Community Centre was given by Rob Underwood of the charity Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts.
Money raised from entry fees for the recent Barnt Green Fun Run was donated to Barnt Green Day Centre.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.
Blackwell Festival enjoyed glorious weather for a change – perfect for this year’s piratical theme!
This year’s Lickey Festival, held at Lickey Hills Primary School and involving the whole community, was themed around The Farmyard.
The inaugural Barnt Green Motor Festival saw more than 60 cars and motorbikes assemble in the village centre.
Guess the close-up (No. 5): ANSWER
Did you guess correctly?
Pupils at St Andrew’s First School in Barnt Green now have extra space for their lessons, thanks to the addition of an unusual classroom – “Buster” the double-decker bus.
A group of Blackwell residents have organised a campaign against Network Rail’s decision to close a popular railway crossing point and replace it with a diversion.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.
More than 250 guests attended the Annual Summer Garden Party at Burcot Grange Care Home, enjoying an afternoon tea in the beautiful gardens and sunshine.
Village Views
With the rest of the world apparently heading to hell in a handcart, these quiet days of summer in and around our villages have perhaps had an extra sense of the idyllic.
SEPTEMBER 2017
We need control on horse numbers
I have read with interest some of the correspondence about horses in this magazine. I am a horse rider and appreciate them as animals.
Living next door to a bomb site
I live on Fiery Hill Road, Barnt Green, opposite the railway station. I daresay most nearby residents are aware of the demolition of the property at number 47 next door to our house, with a shared drive.
How is this ruling democratic?
At the rear of our estate there has been a long-running planning application debate: residents in Lickey Square wish to build five houses in their back gardens which will then tower over three or four houses on our estate.
Pavements left like a patchwork quilt
Regarding the letter (“Verging on the ridiculous”, August 2017) about the mess left behind by Virgin Media on Oakfield Drive, Cofton Hackett:
In response to the letter about a Barnt Green resident bumping into a former villager, Simon Bendall, in London (“It’s a small world!” July 2017):
I always enjoy Hannah Genders’ garden articles in your magazine, and having read about Shakespeare’s New Place in her August article, I went to visit it.
We wonder if the saga that has been dragging out over the southern slopes of the lovely Lickey Hills for the past two decades may at last be entering its end game.
I think the idea of turning The Square in Alvechurch into a piazza would be the end of the shops and small businesses there.
Verging on the ridiculous (again!)
Recently the residents of Oakfield Drive in Cofton Hackett have seen work undertaken by Virgin Media Group to install underground cables.
History society seeks help with soldier research
Village readers may remember articles in September 2016 and April 2017 about the Hidden First World War Heritage of the Lickey Hills project, sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Having visited Barnt Green at about 1pm one day, I was amazed to find the footpath outside the Happy Valley Chinese takeaway blocked by an illegally-parked car.
I have one of the answers to the Barnt Green traders’ ideas to boost the village in a scheme instigated by Bromsgrove’s Town Centre manager Cheryl Welsh.
Horse riders have no choice but to use roads
I am a horse owner. I frequently ride up or down Cofton Church Lane. Does Dr Vohra realise that at either end there is a bridleway – of which there are very few?
AUGUST 2017
Should you print my letter I fear I may be in a majority of one, or should that be a minority of one? You see, even though others may disagree, I love the smell of a bonfire.
. . . but I’m fed up with the smoke
In response to the letter regarding bonfires: I live on the Redditch Road in Alvechurch, and this problem has been on going since I moved here 20 years ago.
. . . why can’t people just take rubbish to the tip?
Thank you for highlighting the persistent problem of bonfires. Why is it even necessary to burn rubbish on a summer’s day, when we have a garden waste collection or the use of the tip in Romsley?
. . . I blame austerity, but there’s no need to moan
Bonfires can be annoying, and bless the children’s school uniforms having to be washed again. I’m not sure why the laundry identity was important.
. . . ban antisocial fires during daytime
I absolutely agree with Roz Miller that garden bonfires are so antisocial.
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 1998-2017. For further help or information, please contact the Editor.
Village Features
Alvechurch salon Bliss Hair Therapy is celebrating its ninth birthday – and it’s already been a fabulous year.
Cofton Hackett resident Marian Gallagher shares memories of the German POWs who became part of the village.
Village Archive: 10 years ago…
A look back at what was happening around here in September 2007.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
If you’re planning to get your garden growing again, now is the ideal month, says Hannah Genders.
Mary Green celebrates the bounty of autumn.
Alvechurch FC get their league and cup season underway.
Your children’s schedule may be overloaded with enjoyable activities. But if you’re unsure about adding music lessons to the list, let Vale Pianos show you the many great benefits to playing the piano.
Winterfold is a unique school, and this is evident from the moment you enter the school drive.
There has been a hive of activity at one small school in Droitwich Spa this Summer.
The RGS schools are inclusive, challenging and academically stimulating.
Award-winning chef Lorenzo Richards dished up a selection of cross-culture fusion food at a special VIP event at his restaurant, The Wildmoor Oak, near Bromsgrove.
Bromsgrove School has once again had a successful summer of exam results.
Hannah Genders visits a newly-restored garden in Stratford.
Dave Morgan describes the difficulties caused by wildlife and weather.
We certainly did have a flaming June this year, and the first part of July. I don’t know what it was about the specific conditions, but the flowering of orchids in the area was the best I’ve ever seen.
A Bromsgrove resident is using her expertise to offer fun and interactive educational classes for babies, toddlers and preschools in Bromsgrove, Redditch and beyond.
A new Alvechurch business is proving that it’s not just women who like to be pampered – at Barney’s Barbers, men are offered the full grooming experience, from hot towels to the latest hair styles.
Alvechurch FC get into shape for the new season.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Discerning drinkers will be excited by the opening of Village Vineyards, a new Barnt Green shop with a huge range of wines, beers and spirits.
Dave Morgan previews the latest exhibition by an Alvechurch art group.
