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Mallard Close – Community Orchard

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Acocks Green Village in Bloom team have big plans to transform an untidy piece of wasteland in the village to a beautiful Community Orchard for locals to enjoy.  Work has already started with tidying up the site and planning the best trees and plants to make this unloved plot into an appreciated and beneficial greenspace.

volunteers preparing the ground, Mallard Close

volunteers preparing the ground, Mallard Close

Spearheading the project is Acocks Green Village in Bloom volunteer and co-ordinator Fran Lee.  With the help of community grants and volunteers, the space  should be a real asset to the village. The team hope that school children and parents from adjacent Holy Souls School and other locals will take a real interest in the development and progress of the site. The plan is that the fruit trees will be in the ground before March, so that they can establish during the spring and summer. A local organisation called Food Forest Brum have also offered their support.

It’s an exciting project and will add greatly to the Village in Bloom entry for 2013.  Last year, thanks to Fran’s organisation, support from the Acocks Green BID and local businesses and volunteers, Acocks Green Village won a bronze medal in the Urban Category.  With transformations projects such as this our village may win a silver this year! The local Neighbourhood Police Team have also been supporting the project, working with the Youth Forum and offering suggestions for possible community funding.  The team are always looking for more people who can help do a bit of gardening (no experience necessary). Next Sunday at 10am the group will meet at the site and anyone who can spare an hour or two is encouraged to join in and play their part in making a real positive difference to the neighbourhood.  If you would likYe to be involved in this project in some way please contact Fran:  fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk or turn up on Sunday 9th December at 10am to meet the team and get digging!

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Filed under: Events

Orchard Update – Preparing the Ground – come along and help – 10am Sunday 20th January

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Thanks to the many volunteers who turned out over the last three Sundays mornings (and Wednesdays) in midwinter, to help prepare the ground for the exciting new Village in Bloom project – Mallard Close Orchard, with this great team work it won’t take long for the site to be ready for planting the fruit trees, giving them time to establish before the spring.

Many hands make light work! Volunteers on Sunday morning

Many hands make light work! Volunteers on Sunday morning

We will be meeting every  Sunday, from 10am onwards. We are hopeful that more people will come along with enthusiasm to help with the digging and clearing the land.  As they say - ’many hands make light work!’  It is rewarding to see the progress, and once this lovely orchard is established and nicely maintained,  people who have helped, in anyway, can feel proud to have been part of such a positive project for our village.


Filed under: Events

Progress on Mallard Community Orchard

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Progress is going well on the Mallard Close Orchard. Sunday morning saw 10 enthusiastic volunteers helping prepare the land for the tree-planting which takes place on Saturday 16th March. This will be as part of  The Big Dig national event, encouraging people to get involved in community gardening schemes. Read more about it on their website and come along to the orchard on the day.

With all the digging over the last few months on the site, we were really hoping to find a Saxon Hoard or at least some valuable jewellery or maybe old British King or two. Mostly we have found historic sweet wrappers; there have been few interesting finds though. On the day of the Big Dig, we will have a table displaying all the ‘treasures’ that have been dug up.

Diggers United - fresh air, exercise and community spirit!

Diggers United – fresh air, exercise and community spirit!

Thanks to the support from local people who have taken an interest in the project and said nice words of encouragement, its great to hear that our work is appreciated.  The orchard is part of the Village in Bloom Project, which Acocks Green is taking part in this year for the second time. If you are interested in getting involved send us a message or come along on Sunday or Wednesday morning, from 10am. More photos and information can be seen on the Village in Bloom page.


Filed under: Events

Community Supporters

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A Big Thanks goes to West Midlands Police this week for their donation to Acocks Green’s Village in Bloom Campaign.  On Wednesday Sgt. Mark Fellows from Acocks Green Neighbourhood Police Team presented a cheque of £833 to the campaign.  The funding is from the Police Property Act Fund, this is money raised from property which comes into the possession of the police in connection with a crime and where the owner cannot be found and helps to fund many worthwhile community projects.

Volunteers - Phil, Fran and Ann being presented cheque from Sgt Fellows and PCSO Large

Sgt Mark Fellows presents a cheque to Fran Lee, co-ordinator of Village in Bloom. Also pictured PCSO Kevin Large and volunteers Phil Harten and Ann Clarke

Village in Bloom is a project to improve the look of our village with planting, tidying and instilling a pride in our local environment. In July official judges will come to see our improvements. Last year was the first time our village was entered and we received a Bronze Award. You can see more photos and information about the project here

At the forefront of the Village in Bloom project is the soon to be planted orchard in Mallard Close. This piece of land that has been derelict for nearly 50 years is being transformed into a community orchard with a variety of fruit trees and shrubs and a raised circular brick herb bed. Thanks to the dedication and hardwork of volunteers the back-breaking work to clear the site of couch grass, weeds, rubble and 50 years of litter is nearing completion.  Tree and shrub planting will be taking place during The Big Dig Event on Saturday 16th March between 10-12 noon. Local people are welcome to come along and help.

Thanks is also due to the local buidling company EH Smith. They kindly donated the bricks and gravel for the herb bed and path. Also thanks to Food Forest Brum an organisation that supports community gardening, as they have kindly donated a selection of fruit trees for us to plant.

Volunteers meet Wednesdays and Sundays at 10am in the Green to work on improving the look of the village by gardening, tidying and painting.  New volunteers are always very welcome to join the team.


Filed under: Events

RHS Edible Britain launching in Acocks Green – Saturday 13th April

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Acocks Green is celebrating the nationwide launch of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom 2013 in its newly created orchard in Mallard Close, slap bang in the middle of two blocks of shops, on Saturday 13th April starting at 10 am – come along to find out more.

Many local people have already been involved by planting fruit trees including apple, plum and damson and a ‘jam hedge’ but volunteers shall be adding to this by sowing seeds provided by the RHS to produce an array of herbs including thyme, chives and rosemary which everyone can pick and eat in future.

Blooming Flowers encouraging bees, planted in Acocks Green 2012

Blooming Flowers encouraging bees, planted in Acocks Green 2012

Fran Lee the co-ordinator of Acocks Green Village in Bloom says that this project has been very popular with locals creating an edible oasis on what used to be a derelict piece of land full of rubble, sweet wrappers and car parts!

Stephanie Eynon, RHS Community Horticulture Manager, said

Britain in Bloom isn’t just about pretty hanging baskets brightening up gloomy streets, it’s about improving the environment, enhancing lives and bringing communities together through gardening. Edible Britain’ will see new public herb and vegetable gardens planted across the UK, bringing access to tasty produce to thousands.

Each year more than 200,000 people devote almost 4.4 million hours to enhancing their community through Britain in Bloom, saving the country thousands of pounds.  On average groups plant 115,000 trees, 352,000 shrubs and 21.6 million plants and bulbs each year.

Anybody can set up or join their nearest group by typing in their postcode into an online map found at www.rhs.org.uk/getinvolved For more information regarding Acocks Green Village in Bloom, please contact Fran Lee at Acocks Green Village in Bloom on 0121 706 0076/e.mail: fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk . New volunteers are always welcome.

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Filed under: Events

Acocks Green Village in Bloom Launched

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There was a great turn-out of volunteers on Saturday 13th April to launch the Village in Bloom 2013 entry, and for once it was warm and sunny.  Box hedging was planted as well as holly and hawthorn hedging and a variety of herbs. The focus of the Village in Bloom this year is edible plants, so it is appropriate that this year we have had the addition of the wonderful Mallard Community Orchard to Acocks Green. Nine fruit trees have been planted as well as fruit bushes. There is lots more work to do around the village, to make it more attractive, not just with gardening, but tidying, painting and repairs. A friendly bunch of volunteers meet most Wednesdays and Sundays and new volunteers are always welcome. Find out more on the Village in Bloom page.

sowing wild flower seeds for a natural meadow effect

sowing wild flower seeds for a natural meadow effect

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Volunteers celebrating the launch of Village in Boom

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A hive of activity! Thanks to all the volunteers

At last! Spring has sprung. Daffodils planted by volunteers in AG

At last! Spring has sprung. Daffodils planted by volunteers in AG

 

 


Filed under: Events

Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting – Tues 11th June – 7.30pm

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Everyone in the area is welcome to our next Public Meeting (and AGM) at the Baptist Church Hall on Yardley Rd on Tuesday.

It will be an opportunity to find out what is going on in our area. There will be guest speakers:

  • Fran Lee from Village in Bloom with a presentation about the work of the volunteers in Acocks Green.
  • The local Police
  • Aiden Cotter – The City Coroner who will talk about his work
  • Sandra White from the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Mystery lion - who knows where this is in AG?

Mystery lion – who knows where this is in AG?

Come along and mingle with other local people, have a cuppa and piece of cake and feel connected to your community.

Get in touch if you know where this mysterious lion is. Does anyone know the significance?

 

 

 


Filed under: Events

Village in Bloom – Bulb Planting this Sunday

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This Sunday at 10am come along to the Community Orchard on Mallard Close for a community Bulb-Planting session.

AG Village in Bloom2 smallIf you have a trowel and gloves bring them along otherwise there will be some spare to borrow.  The Bloom team have received fundingcrocus_giant_mix[1] to buy lots of bulbs to plant this autumn. Our efforts now will be enjoyed by residents and visitors to Acocks Green in the Springtime, with colourful daffodils, crocus and tulips around the village.  If you can spare an hour or two on Sunday morning then come along and take part in improving our village, everyone is welcome. Full instructions will be given, with a little effort you can make a positive impact on our village.


Filed under: Events

Acocks Green Village in Bloom Launch

Commemorating World War I in the Village

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This year commemorates 100 years since the beginning of World War I. It is a time therefore, to remember those who were lost in the effort to protect our country during the war years 1914 to 1918, including some former residents of Acocks Green. We are lucky to have an attractive war memorial outside our library which is a constant reminder of those locally who gave up their lives. The Village in Bloom team always make an effort to keep the planting around the area attractive and appropriate.

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Poppies are the flowers of remembrance as they flourished on the battlefields of France after the war.  On a lovely sunny day at the end of April the Bloom volunteers were fortunate to have the help of some of the children from Acocks Green Primary School who sowed hundreds of poppy seeds. Fran Lee, the Bloom co-ordinator, explained to the young gardeners the significance of sowing the poppies to remember the fallen soldiers. The children then mixed the seeds with sand so they could see where they had been sprinkled, they then watered them in.  So look out for an array of red poppies around the memorial site soon.

 

 


Filed under: Events

Acocks Green Village In Bloom – Launch Saturday 25th April

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The theme of this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom project is:

Greener Streets: Better Lives, the RHS explains the theme:

Greener Streets: Better Lives is a new campaign to tackle the growing number of grey spaces spreading across our comunities and transform them into beautiful green places. It forms part of a wider RHS call to action to get the nation Greening Grey Britain, to address the creeping loss of green spaces across the nation’s towns, cities and villages.

So our local Village in Bloom team having been working hard all year to plan and improve the Green spaces around the village. Plans for this year include hanging baskets to grace the front of Acocks Green train station, more planting on both corners of Woodcock Lane and the team are asking businesses to put out planters and hanging baskets where possible..  The official launch of the campaign takes place at Mallard Community Orchard,  in Mallard Close, 10am-2pm.  All the details are below. Come along and find out more and this special event:

bloom lauch posterFRI


Filed under: Events

Smarter Route – New Planters and Trees

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The Bloom team has been advised that before the end of June, the council will be placing twenty rectangular containers on the new paving. These will be the same as the one by Burtons.

One of the existing colourful planters with flowers from Jeffries

One of the existing colourful planters with flowers from Jeffries

Seventeen new street trees will be planted in the Autumn and due to a large underground gas pipe, the council is placing 10 large square planters on the pavement with trees and shrubs for all year round interest.

Acocks Green is being judged by the Royal Horticultural Society on Wednesday 8th July in the Britain in Bloom campaign, so if you can help us to meet the deadline with all types of last minute jobs please contact the Village in Bloom Team, watering, weeding, litter-picking and planting, every little bit can help the campaign.

Co-ordinator Fran Lee on 0121 706 0076 or e mail: fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk.


Filed under: Events, News

Family Funday at Stockfield Park – This Saturday

Greening of the Green – The Smart Route – Trees and Planters

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Here’s the news that many people have been waiting for.  Our Village in Bloom team has been advised of the details of the trees and shrubs which are going to planted on the ‘Smart Route.’ 17 trees will be planted directly in the ground. Due to a large underground gas pipe extending from Station Road to Woodcock Lane 10 trees are to be planted in large containers and under planted with attractive shrubs.

Below is a plan of where the trees and shrubs are going to be located. It is very detailed, but if you are interested, click on the picture to see the specifics. TP indicates Tree Pit – this is where the trees are going to be put into the ground. PP indicates where the square containers are going to be placed with small trees and shrubs. SC is an indication of the planters which are already in place.

Detailed plan of tree and shrub planting on Acocks Green's Smart Route - Warwick Road.

Detailed plan of tree and shrub planting on Acocks Green’s Smart Route – Warwick Road.

The council officers have made some good choices and consulted the Bloom team on their preferences. The volunteers expressed a preference for blossom trees and its good so see that there will be several flowering cherry trees.

We won’t translate all the Latin names but to give you a flavour – Prunus s. ‘Sunset Boulevard‘  is a flowering Cherry.  There are also trees with a tulip shaped flower, a Silver Lime often known as Linden trees, which bears yellow flowers in June/July. Liquidambars worplesdon bears flowers in March/April and fruits in Autumn.

In the planters again we have shrubs and trees which will give us colourful leaves including the Photinia x f. ‘Red Robin’ a popular garden shrub. The Cornus has delicate leaves which when fallen reveal colourful stems in the winter. A real favourite with the Village in Bloom is  Magnolia Stellata – the Star Magnolia which has star like flowers in the Spring. Amongst the shrubs we will see the Woolly Willow and a Hebe with large blue flowers – good for attracting butterflies. Also the attractive garden favourite Euonymus. There is also Box and Spanish gorse. Salvia has pale blue flowers and is part of the sage family.

This excellent mix will provide not only visual interest throughout the year with colourful leaves and flowers and some of them have lovely scents. Most have been chosen for their drought tolerance and hardiness in public places. The trees will be underpinned to provide stability and we have been told that they will not have those unsightly wooden support poles.

The ‘official’ opening of the Smart Route is Wednesday 23rd September.  Tree planting always takes place in the winter months however and should commence in November/December.

Also the Bloom team will be having Bulb-Planting Sessions in October and November and creating new beds to give added WOW factor to our village. If you would like to come along and help on these popular projects, please contact:

Fran Lee – Co-ordinator – Acocks Green Village in Bloom
e.mail: fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk. Telephone: 0121 706 0076


Filed under: Events

********Acocks Gold********

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What fantastic news for Acocks Green! Thanks to all those who have played a part in helping achieve this award. Here is what Fran the co-coordinator had to say:

Did I hear right?  I went up on stage to receive our award and could not believe it when the chairman said Acocks Green has been awarded ‘Gold’ in the Britain in Bloom campaign.’  What a great team effort from our volunteers, the council with the added bonus of all the wonderful planters and the BID.  It really does focus people’s efforts on putting things right.  Did anyone notice all the improvements made apart from the Smart Route which helped us to secure this coveted award?

Fran Lee receiving the Gold Award on behalf of Acocks Green Village in Bloom Project

Fran Lee receiving the Gold Award on behalf of Acocks Green Village in Bloom Project

You can find out lots more about the Village in Bloom project by clicking on the page:
Acocks Green Village in Bloom

Or to find out more about helping or donating then contact us on this website or
Fran Lee – Co-ordinator – Acocks Green Village in Bloom.
fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk


Filed under: News

Village in Bloom Launch Event

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Hoping to build on the success of last year’s GOLD award, the Village in Bloom Team will be launching the Acocks Green Village in Bloom Campaign 2016 at the Community Orchard on Saturday 16th April. Come along and support the event and learn more about gardening. Grown ups and children will be invited to sow seeds to take away and nurture and there will be wildflower seed-sowing at the orchard. There will be refreshments, hot food and lots of bargain plants to brighten up your gardens or give as presents. Or just come along for a chat or volunteer to help water in the hot weather.

bloom launch poster2016


Filed under: Acocks Green, Events, new skills, places on interest, things to do, Village in Bloom, volunteering

This Saturday..

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Come along and enjoy this community get together and you can meet us here on our stall. We will be next to Acocks Green Village in Bloom and Clay Lane Allotments. There will be an opportunity to find out more about the wide variety of organisations that work together for the good of our village. Also the Forum, Village in Bloom and the allotments will be selling a wide variety of bargain plants and profits go back into the local community.

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Filed under: Acocks Green, Carnival, Events, Uncategorized, Village in Bloom, volunteering

Exclusive Village in Bloom Calendar 2017

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For the first time Acocks Green has a calendar of contemporary photographs that highlight attractive views of our village as well as the work of the Village in Bloom volunteers. The full colour wall calendar, with plenty of room to write on your appointments, is available in shops around the village including:  Bodylines,  Jeffries Hardware and S & H Jewellers and Dennetts Furniture.  It costs just £6.50 and all profits go back to Village in Bloom to continue their hard work in the community enhancing and improving the area. If you would like to see more of their work check out the Village in Bloom page.

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Acocks Green Vilage in Bloom Calendar – Available in shops NOW!


Filed under: Acocks Green, Events, places on interest, Village in Bloom

Battle against Litter in Acocks Green

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All around Acocks Green people are working together to improve the area by cleaning it up. Acocks Green Recreation Ground have a monthly litter pick in the park (first Saturday of the month – 10am), Fox Hollies Park also hold regular litter-picks (this Saturday) and Village in Bloom have been working with Archbishop Ilsleys Yr 7 children to tidy up around the village. Bloom volunteers have also been cleaning up the waste ground on Yardley Road and trying to find out who actually owns this piece of land. New volunteers are always welcome at these events.

Why not talk to your neighbours about cleaning up an area that matters to you? Just a couple of hours a month can make a real difference. Also encourage your friends and family  to dispose of their litter appropriately. Prevention is better than cure!

Birmingham City Council will support community litter picks by supplying equipment and organising rubbish to be taken away. Email them at: wasteprevention@birmingham.gov.uk

 


Filed under: Events

New Sculpture Arriving in the Village

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A sculpture inspired by the work of the Village in Bloom team and the heritage of our area has been installed on the island in the centre of Acocks Green this week. Designed by Bloom volunteer and artist Veronica Treadwell  and locally manufactured by W.R. and J. Collins Ltd in Hall Green, the stylised oak tree design makes reference to the ancient Forest of Arden and Mallard Community Orchard. It also features a horse drawn narrowboat and a steam locomotive referencing the history and development of our area in the 19th Century. On top of the sculpture is a stylised flower in full bloom, topped with the word ‘GOLD’ – the accolade received from RHS Britain in Bloom over the last two years.

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The New Sculpture in the Sunshine

This has been very much a local community project. It has been supported by our councillors and Birmingham City Council Highways Division with the financing organised by our Acocks Green Village Business Improvement District Manager.

 


Filed under: Acocks Green, Events, local history, News, Village in Bloom, volunteering
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