Monday May 20 2013
Village News
County poll leaves seats unchanged
There were no surprises in the Village area elections to Worcestershire County Council – although UKIP and the Independent candidate gave the sitting Tories a wake-up call in Alvechurch.
Peck Wood’s annual Bluebell Week takes place from May 13 this year.
St George’s Day celebrations organised by local WIs saw Alvechurch Village Hall packed with people enjoying tea and cakes.
Organisers of a big spring bank holiday party are hoping the weather gods will smile on them.
New policing tsar in village speed pledge
Traffic speeding through our villages has been highlighted as a priority by the first Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia.
There were only three house burglaries in Alvechurch parish between January to March this year, according to police figures.
The threat of a sea of houses spreading into the Village area from Redditch has eased.
Barnt Green Sailing Club hosts an Open Afternoon on Saturday May 11 from 2–5pm.
Busy season ahead for concert band
Blackwell Concert Band, now based in Catshill near Bromsgrove, is about to embark on an incredibly busy 2013 playing season.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands . . .
Organisers of the annual Alvechurch Bike Ride are urging villagers to get their entry forms in.
Thousands of pop music fans are set to follow in the footsteps of Christian pilgrims when the Fusion Festival takes over the same site at Cofton Park as that used for the Pope’s visit in 2010.
Last month we reported the sad story of a female swan at Paper Mill in Redditch, who had died and left her partner all alone at the start of the mating season.
Three local businesswomen raised more than £400 on Red Nose Day when they provided “Comic Stress Relief” in Barnt Green.
Talented Marlbrook youngster Olivia Withey brought home a bumper haul of prizes from the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival.
Village composer’s modern hymns
First there was Crimond and Jerusalem, now there is Lickey End and Barnt Green.
Tournament success for family-run club
Family-run club Rubery Taekwon-Do has gone from strength to strength since it began two years ago with just six students.
Peter’s Pan fish and chip shop in Barnt Green celebrated second place in the ‘Best Chippy Chips’ Award, out of 500 chip shops across the Midlands.
The 2013 Bromsgrove Lecture, a premier event in The Bromsgrove Society’s year, was held on the evening of April 9 and proved to be an outstanding success.
There was Easter fun for everyone when Burcot Grange Residential Care Home invited children from nearby Blackwell First School to join residents on an Easter egg hunt around the gardens.
A special event at Little Heath Garden Centre in Lickey End provided fun for all the family as well as raising cash for the Bromsgrove Armed Forces Memorial Fund.
Hopwood actor in Indian film controversy
Hopwood actor Mitch Powell is set to hit the big screen this weekend, in a film that’s causing a stir in India.
On March 21 1953, newlyweds June and Trevor Collett posed in front of a privet arch in the garden of the Red Lion pub, Alvechurch, after their marriage at St Laurence Church.
The Alvechurch Big Lunch is growing as more groups come up with ideas for the May Bank Holiday bash, including a “songs of praise”.
Parish councils across The Village area have been alarmed by remarks emanating from Bromsgrove political leaders calling for their abolition.
Littleheath Garden Centre welcomed the start of spring with a special charity event.
A group of children whose lives are still being affected by the Chernobyl disaster have arrived for a month’s stay in the Village area
Plans to shake up policing in this area, including the possible closure of Wythall Police Station, will come under the spotlight at the quarterly Alvechurch PACT public session on April 15.
Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands . . .
Rail inquiry ‘should be expanded’
A planning summit of the bodies involved in the rail and station upgrade in Alvechurch has been called by the inspector to tackle what should be done about car parking.
A dog-bin has been installed on the canal towpath near The Crown Inn, so dog-walkers will have no excuse for discarding poo-bags in the hedgerow.
Two village butchers are celebrating winning top awards for their produce.
Bromsgrove School’s U14 boys hockey team have been crowned Midlands Champions following a strong performance at the Midlands Finals.
The Lounge’s Publicity Events Manager provides an update on recent activities.
Readers may remember the lovely swan photo from the weather article in our March magazine, taken by local photographer Paul Wilde on his daily walks around Paper Mill in Redditch.
Pantomime Horses (above) prepare for their Derby at the Alvechurch Big lunch. Six thoroughbreds will be competing over an obstacle course to raise money for Papyrus (prevention of young suicide). The race will be preceded by trainers/owners leading their horse around the parade ring. Pick your nag, buy your raffle ticket and offer encouragement as only a losing punter can do. Lunch time!
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Village Features
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits a diverse group of local artists planning a show.
Mary Green points out some more ways to enjoy cooking and eating seasonal foods.
Hannah Genders plans a sustainable garden for the Spring Show.
Alex Young on a great run for Alvechurch FC.
Alvechurch Grammar School Trust is keen to offer grants to young people.
The Lounge’s Publicity Events Manager describes some of the exciting activities for youngsters.
To people in Bromsgrove and beyond, the name “Frank Hedges” is synonymous with tradition, family values and excellent customer care.
Dave Morgan suggests some diary dates for visiting local gardens this summer.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
If you’re determined to get in shape ready for summer, the Cambridge Weight Plan could be just right for you – and local Cambridge consultant Lisa Jacobs will guide you every step of the way.
Village Archive: 10 years ago…
A look back at what was happening around here in May 2003.
Blackwell travel counsellor Jane Ward arranges a three-centre trip to Thailand.
Early birds can get the most benefit from ISAs
Don’t delay until the end of the year, says Austin Broad.
Created two years ago by local farmer Adrian Bytom, Coopers Farm Shop has provided the people of Alvechurch and the surrounding area with a convenient place to buy truly local produce.
Upgrade to a solid tiled roof and you can reduce external noise as well as saving money on your energy bills.
Designer eyewear at Barnt Green opticians
Fashion-conscious glasses-wearers will love the brand new eyewear collection from A-list designer L’Wren Scott, now available at Eye Opticians in Barnt Green.
Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.
Mary White gives a preview of the diverse attractions at this year’s Bromsgrove Festival.
Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.
Mary Green explores the importance of arable land and its different grain crops.
Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton offers some of her work for inspection . . .
Austin Broad on how the new workplace pension may affect you.
Alex Young reports on the continuing mid-table battle at Alvechurch FC.
Village Views
MAY 2013
We feel we may have done our readers a disservice in devoting this whole column last month to a defence of parish councils and failing to even mention the elections to Worcestershire County Council.
I am a history teacher from the Netherlands. For more than five years I have been researching into airmen from 142 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who died in The Netherlands.
As we celebrate our second year at the Lounge we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped and supported our project during this time.
I am all too aware that when we have Remembrance in Barnt Green and a list of names of the fallen are called out, we can all too easily register them as just a name.
How rude is Charles Bateman? His “poem” (Box-life . . . The Village, March) is offensive and belligerent.
At long last we get a warmer sunny weekend. After such a cold spell you can see people’s spirits are raised as they can get busy enjoying the fresh air in our lovely village and the surrounding countryside.
I wonder if you could put a request in your letters page for old pictures of the inside and outside of the Hopwood public house before it was extended?
There seemed to be a general consensus on two points among the people attending the Annual Parish Council/PACT meeting at Alvechurch Village Hall on April 15.
Parish of little benefit to me
I was very interested to read the letter from Coun Smith in the April Village and also the comments under the heading Village View regarding Alvechurch Parish Council.
Right, let’s get this straight from the start: we are totally independent of any outside influence, be it political or commercial.
After reading the article in the Bromsgrove Standard by the “leaders” of Bromsgrove District Council, I don’t know whether to believe my eyes.
APRIL 2013
I wonder if you could help our cause. We are a group of people that have got together to try and have some input into the changes at Cofton Park.
Brian Watkiss, in his Village Stargazing article (March 2013), referred to the comet C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS.
Regarding Oakalls Village (March 2013) . . .