Monday September 16 2019
Village News
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.
The Rotary Club of North Worcestershire raised funds for local charities by hosting an ABBA tribute concert at Artrix in Bromsgrove.
Packs of Christmas cards featuring scenes by local artists go on sale this month at Alvechurch Baptist Church.
A memorial sculpture at The Meadows in Alvechurch could pose a risk to small children, a safety expert has warned.
Barnt Green youngster Dec Foster is preparing to take on the title role in a Birmingham production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Cycle trek for organ donation campaign
A group of villagers have raised almost £2,000 for an organ donation campaign by taking part in a 420-mile bike ride.
Five-year-old Theo Church, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
One year on from the picture of the Upper Bittell puddle we published last September, cotton-wool clouds are clearly reflected in the water of the gradually filling reservoir.
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.
Work will soon begin on the construction of a new entrance ramp and steps at the front of Alvechurch Village Hall.
Storytelling is returning to Alvechurch this autumn, as Storytellers Studio presents three evenings of traditional tales at The Lounge.
Birmingham City Council’s plan to introduce car parking charges at Lickey Hills Country Park has reached the informal consultation stage, sparking debate at village parish council meetings.
The traditional red telephone box in the centre of Alvechurch could become a “church library” and noticeboard.
Kate Van Der Plank, district councillor for Alvechurch Village ward, has launched a campaign to make the area cleaner and greener.
County ‘should be recycling more’
Worcestershire County Council, which recently rejected a motion to declare a climate change emergency, is not doing enough on recycling, Coun Peter McDonald told Barnt Green parish councillors.
Alvechurch resident Tim Roberts is back home after completing the arduous Tour Divide and raising £2,000 for Cancer Research.
New play equipment inspired by the “Hopwood Mums” campaign was to be declared open at a small ceremony before the Alvechurch Parish Council meeting on July 22.
Beoley Parish Council has vowed to tackle fallen trees in the parish following severe weather in recent months.
The fourth annual Bilberry Wake on the Lickey Hills attracted plenty of children and families, who had fun making hobby horses and racing them around an obstacle course.
Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th-century theologian who founded Birmingham Oratory and is buried in the Lickeys, will be canonised in the Vatican on October 13.
Blackwell Music Festival takes place on Saturday September 7 in the grounds of Hunter’s Hill School.
Barnt Green Parish Council has been quoted £2,000 to install a low rail around the wildflower patch on Hewell Road.
Marie Storey, a resident at The Lawns care home in Alvechurch, celebrated her 101st birthday.
Incredible start for veg project
The Incredible Edible project in Alvechurch, which sees volunteers planting produce in the village for all to share, has enjoyed a very successful first year.
Plans to demolish Burcot Garden Centre and build 11 new homes on the site have been rejected.
A site for three caravans has been approved in Hopwood, at the end of Ash Lane near the motorway services.
Tennis courts at Rowney Green could be given over to parking during the football season under an idea being considered by Alvechurch Parish Council.
Seven-year-old Libby Thurgood, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
Alvechurch Village Society (AVS) celebrated its 50th anniversary by inviting residents to a party at the village hall.
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.
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.
SEPTEMBER 2019
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!
Readers may recall my letter in January 2019 asking Where are the small birds? I have only been in Alvechurch a short while, but I have turned my garden into a natural habitat to attract wildlife.
AUGUST 2019
This month we’ll try to observe the summer convention and keep the bees in our bonnet under control – there will be plenty enough to worry and complain about once September comes.
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.
TheVillage magazine
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Village Features
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
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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”,
The Alvechurch Acoustic Roots team celebrate the start of their tenth season.
Rose Hill Flower Arrangement Society is having an enjoyably busy year.
Hannah Genders advises on garden jobs to tackle in August.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Village art exhibition features local scenes plus portraits and seascapes in oils.
Patient care is our top priority
Dental practice in Barnt Green combines experience, excellence and expertise to ensure patients come first.
Martin Pryor explains why it’s worth considering a bigger contribution to your pension.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Alvechurch FC warm up for new season with a trio of friendlies.
Village What's On