Welcome to Barntchurch Newtown

The Green Belt around Alvechurch and Barnt Green is under threat – again. This time, it could be really serious . . .

Barntchurch: What do we know?

The Village delves into the housing study to see why this area is under threat and what ‘Barntchurch’ would really mean.

‘Don’t say its name’

There have been mixed responses to the GL Hearn report among parish and district councillors across The Village area, with some fearing that even by talking about it they might be giving it too much credence.

MP responds to Green Belt threat

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid has given his response to the Greater Birmingham Housing Market Area Strategic Growth Study, which proposes building thousands of homes on Green Belt land around Alvechurch and Barnt Green.

The voice of youth

Barnt Green’s new parish councillor, 18-year-old Sam Harris, shares his vision for the village.

Fighting for right of way

Barnt Green Parish Council has joined calls for a public right of way to be reopened.

Street light colour clash

Alvechurch parish councillors had a heated debate over the colour of village street lighting columns after a resident requested that a newly-replaced one on Snake Lane should be painted.

Picnic picks winning logo

As the final preparations for this year’s Alvechurch Picnic in the Park get under way, the event now has its official logo, chosen from entries into the annual competition.

Young talent on show

Talented youngsters showed off their musical skills as The Midland Sinfonia hosted its annual Young Musicians’ Showcase.

Snow lands parish with fun run bill

An unexpected spring snowfall forced the cancellation of Barnt Green’s Sport Relief fun run and cost villagers up to £500, parish councillors heard.

Consultation letters go astray

Residents of Bear Hill in Alvechurch are to be consulted on whether or not they would support the introduction of residents-only parking on their street.

Parish meeting dates

Village parish councils are preparing to hold their Annual Parish Meetings.

Station lifts meeting agreed

Network Rail representatives have agreed to a meeting with Barnt Green parish councillors on April 5, to discuss the lack of lifts at the village railway station. 

Parking restriction plan

Barnt Green Parish Council has asked Worcestershire County Council to look at the possibility of restricting parking on sections of Sandhills Lane and Sandhills Road.

High tea to fund smart toilets

An Oakalls resident is organising a “High Tea” event in Alvechurch to raise money for a Kenyan school.

Joker leads the pack

A Blackwell resident is celebrating after one of her dogs won Best of Breed at this year’s Crufts.

Toby’s 1,000-mile cycle challenge

Blackwell resident Toby Gosnall is preparing for a major cycle challenge to raise money for cancer charity Myeloma UK.

Community car scheme to continue

Rural Rides, the long-running Worcestershire community car scheme, has narrowly avoided closure thanks to Community Transport Wyre Forest (CTWF), which has agreed to take over the running of the service.

Ingenious murder mystery

Alvechurch Dramatic Society’s spring production is Deadly Nightcap, a thriller by the master of the genre, Francis Durbridge. 

The power of poetry

For the 12th year running, Alvechurch Middle School welcomed local poet Giovanni “Spoz” Esposito to work with all Year 8 pupils in a Poetry Slam Day.