Friday May 24 2019
Village News
The candidates are up and running to find a new council to take charge at Bromsgrove – and make decisions that will affect villagers’ lives for years to come, particularly when it comes to the “B” word.
This month’s elections to Bromsgrove District Council have been given a boost by the large number of independent candidates entering the fray.
Andy relinquishes the parish chair
May 2 is parish council election day, although not all parishes have received sufficient nominations to require elections.
A host of Alvechurch groups and institutions are celebrating milestones this year, with special events taking place across the village.
Lickey & Blackwell parish councillors were disappointed to learn that Blackwell Golf Club still does not intend to allow its land to be used as part of the rail crossing diversion.
Barnt Green Parish Council has vowed once again that it will not give up the fight for improvements at the village railway station.
An Alvechurch resident is aiming to complete the Berlin Marathon in September, despite having had knee surgery in March.
Lickey & Blackwell parish councillors expressed sadness that Fresh@ Burcot Garden Centre could be replaced by 11 new houses if a planning application is approved.
Barnt Green parish chairman Robert Cholmondeley told colleagues the council needed to “pick up the baton” now that surrounding parishes had completed their Neighbourhood Plans.
The “Alvechurch Arise” community celebration, which began with the Palm Sunday procession through the village, continued with a series of events during Easter week – all attended by large numbers of villagers.
Motorists making their way through Alvechurch on Palm Sunday might have been surprised to see “Jesus” (villager Tim Reading) leading a procession along Swan Street, accompanied by a pair of donkeys.
Organisers of the Alvechurch Picnic in the Park have announced that this year’s event will be officially opened by Professor Sir Keith Porter.
Murder in mind for village film
Barnt Green film-makers Sheila and Bill Evans of Walktall Productions have announced their next project – a psychological feature called Jacqueline.
Barnt Green residents got stuck in to the planting of a “pollinator-friendly patch” in the village.
Barnt Green Parish Council is busy planning several village events for 2019.
There is still no word on whether there will be an official inquiry into the Marlbrook Tip saga, Lickey & Blackwell parish councillors heard.
Total recorded crime in Alvechurch parish rose slightly over the past year, according to police figures supplied to the Annual Parish Meeting.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.
If you’ve ever been heading up towards Weatheroak from Alvechurch and wondered about the strange patterns cut into the hillside like a neolithic art project, these pictures should give you a clue.
Posting on social media is not the best way to approach a council, Alvechurch parish chairman Andy Humphries told the annual meeting.
Six-year-old Amelie Burton, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.
Village TV expert reveals secrets
Barnt Green WI were treated to some television secrets when Bargain Hunt’s Ben Cooper gave a talk at their recent meeting.
Burcot Grange and The Lodge have welcomed the return of Joshua Oakes, who had been part of the Burcot family since he joined as a volunteer at the age of 17.
Alvechurch FC U9s are celebrating after they secured victory in the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League Winter Cup Winter Cup.
Kings Norton Girls’ rugby team finished the season on a high, winning the final tournament of the West Midlands Girls’ Tag League.
Bromsgrove Flower Club welcomed talented NAFAS National Demonstrator Lorena Dyer for a demonstration entitled Lipstick, Powder and Paint.
Hopes of investment to pay for the long-promised lifts at Barnt Green Station have been dashed, but parish councillors are determined to keep up the pressure on Network Rail.
Village-made film gets premiere
The cast and crew of 7 Days, a film about Birmingham marathon runner ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley, celebrated the film’s premiere at The Birmingham Rep.
County council officers are “reeling” from public responses to the consultation on libraries.
Independent councillors in the Village area have been delighted with the response to their appeal for candidates and helpers in the local elections on May 2.
New homes planned for village sites
Eleven new houses could be built on the site where Fresh@Burcot Garden Centre currently stands, if planning permission is granted.
The Cross Inn at Finstall was declared Pub of The Year 2019 by the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Gated homes ‘blocking footpath’
A new public right of way through the CALA homes site from Fiery Hill Road to Cherry Hill Road, Barnt Green, is impassable because of locked gates to some of the new houses, parish councillors heard.
Villagers enjoyed a concert by The Choir With No Name at Alvechurch Baptist Church, where the recent Christmas Tree Festival had raised funds for the choir as well as a homeless shelter.
“Dangerous” parking on Station Road in Alvechurch is to be addressed by the county council’s Highways department after residents and councillors expressed concerns.
Alvechurch Parish Council voted to give residents of Meadow Lane an access code for the height barrier to The Meadows, in the wake of an incident in January and a “storm” on social media.
The Environment Agency has come under fire for its “failings” over Marlbrook Tip from Bromsgrove’s lead planning councillor.
Blackwell residents were left confused when dog mess left on village pavements was highlighted with brightly-coloured “chalk spray” in a parish council initiative.
Graffiti resists clean-up attempt
The “Save Our Fields” graffiti daubed around Lickey by an unknown activist dubbed “Tanksy” is still in place as the parish lengthsman was unable to remove it with white spirit, Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council heard.
Parish councillors in Alvechurch were relieved to learn that a planned closure of the A441 in Hopwood was “not as bad as it first seemed”.
Village Views
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!”
Please let me clarify, after a recent experience, what I would do if I felt I had good reason to object to the planning application to build a house immediately in the vicinity of my property, and why.
APRIL 2019
The local elections fall at an awkward time for this magazine: we have to go to press with this issue before the deadline for nominations, while the elections themselves are to be held on May 2, within a couple of days of our next issue landing on doormats.
Bonfires have the potential to kill
I agree entirely with the view expressed by Michael Lewis, (Village Views, March 2019), with regard to the selfish menace of bonfires.
Planning process is unacceptable
I would like to point out to John Williams (How to object to plans, Village December 2018) that the planning process is very clear even if unacceptable:
I have just read your article on the Marlbrook Tip fiasco. It would be extremely funny if it was not true!
Barnt Green has recently been blessed with its very own balancing pond, located at the Foxhills housing estate.
My family used to live at Scarfield Farm. My mother, who is now 92, remembers with fondness the prisoners of war who helped out on the farm.
Yet again the left-hand side entrance to Greenbank in Barnt Green is being used as a field.
MARCH 2019
If there was a Top 10 of “You Couldn’t Make It Ups”, the Marlbrook Tip debacle would surely be a chart-topper.
Create hedges to attract birds
I write in response to the letter Where are the small birds? in your January magazine.
Be thankful for hardworking bin collectors
Further to a recent letter (Village Views, February 2019) I would like to thank all our hardworking bin collectors for their faithful and efficient service.
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Village Features
The Lawns care home in Alvechurch had the opportunity to celebrate the appointment of new manager Lukas Rokita with an Easter coffee morning for residents, families and friends.
Celebration for firm’s first year
As Bromsgrove business Carpets Rugs & Runners celebrates its first successful year of trading, customers can find even more inspiration for their homes.
Village Archive. . . 20 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in May 1999.
Village Archive. . . 10 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in May 2009.
Financial planning for the 100-year life
Martin Pryor suggests ways to ensure a comfortable long retirement.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Alvechurch FC keep their eyes on the promotion prize.
Under the spreading chestnut tree
Mary Green identifies ‘useful’ trees to look out for in May.
Hannah Genders explains how to get the best out of your veg, and looks forward to the Malvern Show.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith urges a visit to the annual exhibition at All Saints Church.
Keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, makes an easy loaf with seasonal watercress.
Julie Ward, a qualified counsellor and coach who specialises in alcohol-related issues, offers one-to-one support to individuals who would like to learn how to reduce their alcohol intake or to stop altogether.
A non-surgical hair-loss treatment with instant results and virtually no downtime is now available in Alvechurch.
The Village Archive: 10 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in April 2009.
The Village Archive: 20 years ago
A look back at what was happening around here in April 1999.
Eye Opticians of Barnt Green celebrates its 10th birthday with a brand new look.
Ringing the changes of the new tax year
Tie up loose ends and plan for changes to savings and pensions, writes Martin Pryor.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Alvechurch FC move into a crucial phase of the season.
Mary Green reminds us of the important role played by ‘pests’.
Hannah Genders explains the benefits of an all-natural pool.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, creates a vegetable quiche that’s bound to be a hit with the whole clan.
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