Hills parking poser

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.

Hanging on an answer

The traditional red telephone box in the centre of Alvechurch could become a “church library” and noticeboard.

Clean green scheme

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.

Man versus mountains

Alvechurch resident Tim Roberts is back home after completing the arduous Tour Divide and raising £2,000 for Cancer Research.

Play equipment unveiled

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.

Fallen trees pledge

Beoley Parish Council has vowed to tackle fallen trees in the parish following severe weather in recent months.

Hills and horses

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 to become saint

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.

Day of live music

Blackwell Music Festival takes place on Saturday September 7 in the grounds of Hunter’s Hill School.

Flower patch funding

Barnt Green Parish Council has been quoted £2,000 to install a low rail around the wildflower patch on Hewell Road.

Birthday bash

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.

Burcot homes plan rejected

Plans to demolish Burcot Garden Centre and build 11 new homes on the site have been rejected.

Caravan site approved

A site for three caravans has been approved in Hopwood, at the end of Ash Lane near the motorway services.

Tennis parking plan

Tennis courts at Rowney Green could be given over to parking during the football season under an idea being considered by Alvechurch Parish Council.

Libby meets Vinny

Seven-year-old Libby Thurgood, of Alvechurch, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.

50 years of village life

Alvechurch Village Society (AVS) celebrated its 50th anniversary by inviting residents to a party at the village hall.

Flower power!

This year’s Blackwell Summer Festival had a ‘Flower Power’ theme, which saw residents fully embracing the spirit of the event with a variety of bright costumes and inventive props.

Yellow lines plan

Beoley parish councillors are campaigning for double yellow lines on Holt Hill.