Saturday May 19 2012
Village News
Rail closure theory in spate of village shed break-ins
Bicycles worth more than £2,500 were among property stolen from a number of sheds in Barnt Green and Alvechurch in raids residents link to the closure of the rail line for engineering work.
Helen takes European duathlon title
Marlbrook triathlete Helen Russell powered her way to victory in the European Sprint Duathlon Championships, not only winning the 35-39 age group title but finishing first female overall, taking the European title outright.
George Lord victim speaks of ordeal
One of the victims of George Lord, the former Conservative county councillor for Alvechurch who was jailed for sexually assaulting two teenagers, is encouraging other victims of historic sexual abuse to come forward.
First look at new station plans
Plans for new platforms and a pedestrian bridge at Alvechurch Station have been revealed by Network Rail.
One of Pete Rippington’s former pupils has created a commemorative book using pictures and stories sent from around the world.
Party in the park to mark jubilee
Alvechurch is putting the finishing touches to plans for a big party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Residents at The Lawns, Alvechurch, were enthralled by a talk on the Titanic 100 years to the day after it set off on its fateful maiden voyage.
The former Conservative county councillor for Alvechurch George Lord has been sentenced to four years in prison for sex assaults.
Barnt Green presents a united front
Barnt Green villagers have formed a fully fledged residents’ association in response to the imminent bulldozing of green fields which will change their village forever.
A group of Alvechurch bellringers travelled to the Whitechapel Foundry, London, to see the casting of three new bells for St Laurence Church.
Sarah Rees reports from Bromsgrove’s biggest estate – which may get bigger . . .
Search for cause of major Barnt Green house blaze
Investigators are trying to find the cause of a fire that ripped through the first floor and roof of a house in Barnt Green and took 60 firefighters all night to bring under control.
Do you want fewer Bromsgrove councillors?
There are just a few weeks left for villagers to have their say on reducing the number of councillors on Bromsgrove District Council.
Alvechurch cottage burglary plea
Police are appealing for witnesses and in particular motorists who passed the scene of a burglary as it was happening in Alvechurch.
Flower fans will have the chance to view a carpet of beautiful bluebells when a local wood opens to the public.
Police are appealing for information about a burglary in Pikes Pool Lane, Burcot.
Stolen Rowney Green knighthood medal returned
A knighthood medal presented by the Queen was among many items stolen during a burglary in Rowney Green that have now been recovered.
Charity football match in memory of Mr Rip
A charity football match in memory of Peter Rippington will take place on Friday May 11 at Alvechurch FC.
An Oakalls author has seen her debut novel go on sale as an ebook, available from major booksellers.
More than 250 villagers took part in the first Barnt Green Mile in aid of Sport Relief.
Olympic cash to restore The Meadows
The longstanding campaign to drain The Meadows playing fields in Alvechurch has at last found the money to carry out the work.
Alvechurch band play memorial gig
Max Lyrical, the seven-piece Alvechurch band, will perform at Alvechurch Social Club in aid of the Peter Rippington Memorial Fund.
A 12-year-old Bromsgrove girl will be following in the footsteps of stars such as Billie Piper, Tamzin Outhwaite and Samantha Janus after winning a place at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School.
Could you put on a Jubilee performance?
The organisers of entertainment for the Alvechurch Queen’s Jubilee celebrations are urging villagers to join in the fun.
Local music promoter Erin Green has lined up a great series of gigs at Rowney Green Village Hall in the coming months - including an event in memory of Peter Rippington, with all profits donated to his memorial fund.
Children at Bearhill Playgroup, Alvechurch, got ready for Easter with an egg-roll down the slide at their Village Hall HQ.
Adam Harvey, a planning officer from Hopwood, is set to take part in the 2012 London Marathon in support of the NSPCC.
Barnt Green has lost a real village character with the death of Bill Oakley at the age of 81, writes Anna Horton.
The People’s Orchestra wants you!
Midlands musicians are wanted for a new orchestra recently launched in Birmingham.
Weighbridge is Pub of the Year again
The Weighbridge at Alvechurch has been declared Pub of the Year by Redditch & Bromsgrove Campaign for Real Ale - for the fifth time!
Lickey End Playgroup recently held a Sports Day at Lickey End Social Club, to celebrate the acquisition of new sports and play equipment – purchased with the help of a £200 donation from Forest Motor Company.
Family tributes to Peter Rippington
Amy, Max and I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful messages of support, help and love that we have received, writes Sharon Rippington.
The Alvechurch Sports & Social Club darts team are celebrating after finishing top in the first division of the Bromsgrove & District Winter Darts League.
After many years of hard work and fundraising, the Barnt Green Scout and Guide Centre is finally open for business – and residents can see it for themselves at the official opening on Saturday May 12.
Marlbrook triathlete Helen Russell is delighted to have been named as runner up in the 220 Triathlon magazine award for Female Duathlete of the Year, following a nationwide vote.
TED REEVES, the oldest resident at The Lawns in Alvechurch, celebrates his 106th birthday with the latest addition to his family, four-month-old Hollie, his third great, great grandchild.
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Village Features
Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits two exhibitions in the local area.
March saw the launch of a brand new orchestra in the Midlands – The People’s Orchestra – and one of the driving forces behind the project was Alvechurch resident Andy Sinclair.
What do you get if you put a Worcester Warrior and England rugby player, two Warwickshire cricketers and a former Midlands footballer into a local curry house for the evening? The answer – a great night out raising a decent amount of money for charity!
Silver jubilee for local playgroup
Children at Lickey End Playgroup are celebrating the group’s 25th birthday with various fun activities. The silver jubilee celebrations include a sponsored “toddlerthon” to raise cash for the group, and a disco and buffet evening.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Bartlett Tree Experts point out two of the dangers to plants and trees this spring.
Fish and chip fans will be delighted by the reopening of Ben’s Lickey Hills Fish Bar, which had been closed since a fire last November.
Birmingham’s longest standing Builders Merchants are building up to some exciting changes at their Longbridge branch.
Club Secretary Pete Gwilliam concludes his series on the goals and successes of Alvechurch Lions FC.
Blackwell travel counsellor Jane Ward helps a local family visit Disneyland in Paris and the USA.
Mary Green explains the importance of hedges for our insects.
Lies, damned lies and statistics
A view of the property market by Angie Osborn of Stacks Property Search.
Hannah Genders gets involved in an exotic project in the name of charity.
David Morgan points out some of the unusual features in local gardens opening for the NGS.
If your home is in need of a little TLC, spring is the perfect time for a new look with a fresh coat of paint, bright new wallpaper or sprucing up the woodwork.
Joanne Hayes of Rednal describes how a rescued stray Staffie called Dash came to join her family.
Burcot Grange celebrated Easter with a range of fun activities, starting with a “naughty but nice” chocolate fondue on Easter Saturday.
David Morgan visits a former farm that’s evolved into a wedding venue with beautiful gardens.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Hannah Genders takes us through her plans for growing plenty of vegetables this spring.
Charlie and Jayne of Willows Hedgehog Rescue explain the importance of helping our prickly friends.
Celebrating the humble beanpole
National Beanpole Week takes place from April 21 to April 29 this year. The annual event, promoted by the Small Woods Association, encourages gardeners to use hazel beanpoles sourced from British woods rather than using imported bamboo canes.
If you want your home to look truly special, help is at hand in the shape of Tudor Rose – a local business founded by a designer with a passion for fabrics.
Village Views
MAY 2012
Councillors in Alvechurch are giving serious consideration to a request for more street lighting around the village.
MAY 2012
Anyone still wondering what the strange, green patterns published in the last issue of The Village were may be interested to see tthe full picture.
Britain is facing its biggest financial crisis for a generation. The banking crisis of 2008, the credit crunch, the harshest austerity measures for many years, cuts in public expenditure and services, job losses in both the private and public sectors, rising youth unemployment, the closure of large and small business and freezing and actual cuts in wages and salaries.
A sparrowhawk crashed into our patio doors with a wood pigeon in its claws, so it probably forgot to use its brakes at the bottom of the swoop to kill the pigeon.
As Chairman of Hopwood Residents Association it was good to see 12 volunteers, including our ward parish councillor Adrian Smith, take part in a last-minute community-arranged litter pick.
I was at the Barnt Green Mile with three of my children. We completed the Mile, and I just wanted to let you know what a special day it was for us.
APRIL 2012
APRIL 2012
When the offer of money to finally drain The Meadows in Alvechurch disappeared in a quagmire of mysterious last-minute conditions last year, you could have forgiven those left disappointed if they had just given in.
In response to Mr Carrington’s question “Where will we park?” (Village Views March 2012), there are two ideal car parks in Alvechurch, one at the Alvechurch club and the other, the council car park in Tanyard Lane.
In response to the letter “Overrun by affordable homes”, I too am disgusted – at the author’s ignorance towards the people who need “affordable” housing.
In reply to “Overrun by affordable homes.” I understand your desire to live in a “nice house in a good area” but please keep things in perspective – the percentage of affordable housing in the area is tiny and, while not a gated mansion estate, it’s not going to be a tower block.
This picture was taken close to the centre of Alvechurch by Alan Ogden, of Hopwood. Can any reader figure out what it is and how the intricate patterns have been formed?
The Tories are alienating our community
To be frank, I salute Ruth Sault’s honesty last month (Village Views “Overrun by affordable homes”).
The recent tragedY that struck Alvechurch Middle School attracted much media attention. I am an ITV news cameraman and reporter who has lived in the village for many years and was disappointed to hear of some complaints on Facebook recently complaining of the ‘intrusion’ of the media at both the school and St Laurence’s Church.
Further to your article about Bridge 63 on the Worcester Birmingham canal, I thought readers may just be interested to know that one part of the bridge still remains in use.