Chairman’s Introduction
Over the summer months new swings have been installed in the children's play area and are proving a great success. In Millennium Park new paths, benches and a light have been installed. The new positioning of the benches running along the paths is most successful – no more wet feet! Over the next few weeks new planting will take place, with mixed bulbs and shrubs being planted under the trees and a new border will be created to run along the wall at the top of the park. New waste paper bins have been ordered which will be placed in more appropriate places.
This year the Parish Council is planning to install new Christmas lights along Hewell Road. To date over ninety per cent of the traders have generously pledged nearly £3000 towards the cost. Tesco at this stage have been unable to commit to any funding, although given that they are the largest trader in Barnt Green, we would hope that they would be able to support the Parish Council’s initiative.
A Christmas Fair is being organised by the reformed Barnt Green Traders Association with the help of the Parish Council on Sunday 7th December at 4.00pm. The festivities will start with a carol service at Millennium Park featuring the lighting of the Christmas trees and the new Christmas lights.
If you would like to help make this day a great success please ring Rachel Miller (Continental Collections 0121 447 7544) or Steve Read (Meadow Farm Butchers 0121 445 1765), chairman and secretary respectively of the newly formed Barnt Green Traders Association.
Judith Jagger
The Refurbishment of Millennium Park has received many complimentary remarks from residents, and the new benches are getting plenty of use.
Halloween Walk
Our footpaths officer Simon Richards has once again organised a Halloween Walk on the Lickey Hills. The walk will take place on Friday October 31. Meet at the Millennium Arch in Hewell Road, Barnt Green at 7pm. The walk is planned to last for about 1 ½ hours and the route will take you over the Lickey Hills to see the gothic statues on the scariest night of the year.
All are welcome – please bring a torch and wear sturdy footwear. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For further details, contact Simon – ring 07813 164745 or e-mail sr6424@btinternet.com.
Speed Signs for Bittell Road
Two vehicle activated speed signs have now been installed on Bittell Road and these have already lead to a reduction in the average speed of traffic on this busy stretch of road. The Parish Council will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the signs and urges all residents to support this initiative which is aimed to make Bittell Road a safer environment.
Neighbourhood Watch
The Barnt Green Neighbourhood Watch scheme continues to grow, although more co-ordinators are still needed.
The scheme has arranged with Bromsgrove Police for SmartWater packs to be made available to all Neighbourhood Watch members at a vastly reduced price of £15. SmartWater is a revolutionary forensic coding system which protects your home or business and deters burglars from stealing your property.
SmartWater is being used to protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and vehicles across the UK, and is now used by over 95% of Police forces to deter criminals.
The results have been little short of phenomenal. The evidence - based on police statistics - shows that criminals really fear SmartWater. In fact, SmartWater has helped to reduce burglary by five times the national average.
To order a SmartWater pack, please contact your neighbourhood Watch coordinator or Mel Clarke at Bromsgrove Police Station tel 01527 586253.
The Parish Council is also in the process of obtaining joint Neighbourhood Watch/SmartWater signs which will be affixed to the welcome signs on the Parish boundaries.
New Welcome Signs and Fingerposts
The new “Welcome to Barnt Green” signs are now in situ at the parish boundaries and will shortly have combined Neighbourhood Watch/SmartWater signs added to them.
A new fingerpost sign is in place at the junction of Bittell Road and Bittell Lane, and this will shortly be joined by additional signs at the Sandhills Green mini roundabout and at the Twatling Road triangle.
Barnt Green Sailing Club
You only have to visit Barnt Green Sailing Club (BGSC) once to appreciate why, for many of its members, it is a place where they come to escape and unwind. The beauty of Upper Bittell Reservoir, 80 acres of water set in beautiful countryside, is a wonder to behold especially when you realize it’s only 10 miles south west of Birmingham City Centre.
Sailing was first established on Upper Bittell in 1918 which was built as a feeder reservoir for the surrounding canal system. Since 1984 the location has been of special interest to English Nature who in 2001 designated it as an Area of Special Scientific Interest to ensure the appropriate respect and protection of such an area of natural beauty with its unique wildlife, marine life and plant species.
The present attractive Clubhouse with panoramic views over the water is constructed of sandstone and was converted in the 1980’s from an old boathouse. This comfortable and welcoming centre of BGSC, with exposed beams and an open log fire, offers members the benefits of a licensed bar, fully functional galley kitchen and ladies and gents changing rooms with showers.
Top Class Sailors
Barnt Green Sailing Club is proud of its’ record of top class sailors who have competed at international and world events, especially its current juniors who continue to fly the Barnt Green flag far and wide at National, European and World Championship events. Perhaps the standards were set in 1948 when the Olympic eliminating trials were held on Upper Bittell at the Club and of course there’s the motivation of knowing that only this year in China, sailing was one of Britain’s most successful Olympic Sports. In addition, members who recently entered the sport, could be potential members of the Olympic squad at the 2012 London games.
Training
The Club is an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) approved Training Establishment with excellent courses for Junior Sailors as well as adult dinghy, sailboard and safety boat training on demand. During the main season Monday evenings are set aside for ladies-only sailing with tuition on-hand if required.
Membership
The emphasis at Barnt Green Sailing Club is very much that it is a Membership Club run by its members and coordinated by a committee. BGSC is a very friendly and active family Club with a strong social emphasis which welcomes experienced sailors or beginners alike.
For further information about membership call Karen Millington, Membership Secretary, on 0121 445 2695 or, visit the club website: www.sailingbarntgreen.com
Christmas 2008 Recycling and Refuse arrangements
Please note that on weeks starting 15, 22 & 29 December your Grey bin only will be collected each week.
Your Recycling collections will continue on alternating weeks as normal. Remember the green bin collections will stop at the end of November.
To apply for 2009 collections see your new collection calendar or visit Bromsgrove District Council online at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk.
There will be no refuse or recycling collections on December 25 or 26 or on January 1. Collections due on December 25 will take place on December 27, and those due on December 26 will be on December 29.
Collections due on January 1 and 2 will take place on January 2 and 3 respectively.
Hanging Basket Competition
We hope that residents enjoyed the splash of colour provided by the hanging baskets which were installed outside the shops on Hewell Road this summer.
The Parish Council asked Barnt Green Garden Society to judge the top three baskets, and these were rewarded with a small gift from the Parish Council.
The society remarked that most of the baskets were in very good condition and well tended, and that arriving at a decision was most difficult, however they finally agreed on the prize-winners who were:
1st – Threshers
2nd equal – Viva and Tony’s Handyman
3rd – Peter’s Pan.
We look forward to an even more intense rivalry next year!
Dates for your diary….
Monday October 27 Parish Council Meeting 7.00pm Parish Centre
Friday October 31 Halloween Walk – meet 7.00pm at Millennium Arch
Monday November 24 Parish Council Meeting 7.00pm Parish Centre
Sunday December 7 Barnt Green Christmas Festival 4.00pm Millennium Park
Parish Council Meetings
These are usually held on the last Monday in each month at the Parish Centre in Sandhills Road at 7.00pm. The Parish Council does not meet in August or December. You are welcome to attend and observe Parish Council meetings, and an opportunity is given at each meeting for members of the public to speak.
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