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Show of community spirit

Posted on January 16 2012 at 11:14:22 0 comments

Sarah Rees explores life on Bromsgrove’s biggest estate in our monthly column all about the Parkalls, or should that be Oaklands?

It is amazing just what can be achieved when a few people get together and embark wholeheartedly on a project. The Oakalls and Parklands truly came to life in December, thanks to just such a group of people who collaborated to plan a festive concert for residents.

Although little in life truly amazes me, I have to admit that I wore a special smile throughout Christmas following the tremendous success of the concert.

More than 350 residents turned out for the event, funded by County Councillor Emma Moffett’s discretionary Divisional Fund, and co-ordinated with the help of District Councillors Caroline Spencer, Rod Laight and Stuart Dudley.

Groups of people carrying lanterns and torches processed to the Green by Trianon Road, where the evening started with a carol concert at 5pm, courtesy of the Primrose Hospice Choir.

With unrehearsed but perfect timing the singing finished just as the sound of sleigh bells filled the air and children (plus adults) dashed to see the arrival of Santa and his sleigh. Santa entertained the audience for almost half an hour with plenty of “ho ho ho-ing” and Christmas spirit.

Generous residents donated just short of £1,000, which Santa willingly handed over to Bromsgrove’s Round Table to be distributed among numerous local charities this year.

But the night was still not over… the crowds also enjoyed local mulled cider and soft drinks from Tardebigge Cider, plus nibbles courtesy of Emma Moffett.

And so a tremendously successful community event drew to a festive close. Hopefully we can repeat this in December 2012 with even more residents joining in.

Thoughts of Spring

Neil Gow from Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre (pictured below, second left) gave his time to visit the estate to help with a new bulb planting initiative.

More than 2,500 mixed varieties of daffodil were planted in just a couple of hours at The Oakalls and Parklands, Harwood Park and Finstall, with the help of more than a dozen volunteers.

Residents should soon be enjoying a golden landscape as the bulbs push through the winter soil to greet the spring sunshine.

Take a Sky Ride

Sky Ride is a national campaign from Sky and British Cycling, created to inspire and help everyone – whatever their age or ability – to get on their bikes and have fun. The ambition is to get 1 million more people cycling regularly by 2013.

Sky Ride is alive and active on the estate. The first ride, exclusively for ladies, took place early in the New Year and cyclists completed a circuit of 1.5 miles around the Oakalls.

For more information visit http://www.goskyride.com/Breeze

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes much has been happening recently to give the estate a stronger community identity.

The sign at the main entrance by the roundabout was reinstated (finally) towards the end of last year.

With special thanks to Oakalls resident Marc Lawton there is now a Facebook page for the estate. Find out about what’s going on, inform other residents about events you may be organising and voice your opinions.

Please make use of this and subscribe by clicking the ‘like’ button. Visit http://www.facebook.com/theoakalls

PACT – March 6

The next local Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting will take place at Godwald’s Church Hall on Tuesday March 6 at 7pm.

Only five residents attended the last meeting in November. However, it was as a direct result of the meeting, and the discussions that ensued, that the bulb planting and festive event happened.

Please support the March meeting. It is your chance to not only find out about what is happening in the local area but to also voice any concerns to the local councillors and community police team.

Please contact me with your views and concerns about any aspect of life on the estate: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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