Shenley Community Council Newsletter Spring 2013

SHENLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL Spring News.

Charity Walk May 12th for St Mary's Hospice

KEEP FIT and COME ALONG

In this Edition:

Free offers!

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Shenley Tea room Meet Dick Rodgers The Asda Development Things that go bang in the Day! The Shenley Hub? Wheelie bins Virgin Media BVT Updates Solar Panel Survey Whats on in Shenley The Manor house RSPCA update.

Manor Park Police & NHW Green Meadow Road

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Bournville Estates Sponsored Walk Committee would like to thank everyone who took part in their 20th May 201 2 charity walk.The total raised was £1 ,645.00 and a cheque for that amount was presented to The Acorns at the Excellence in the Community Awards Ceremony held on the1 3th October. A group of Dame Elizabeth School pupils who also took part in the walk raised an extra £1 33, lifting the total to £1778.00.

HELP THE HOSPICE The 2013 Charity Walk is taking place on Sunday 12th May 11.00am to 3.00pm. This popular 7 mile stroll

around the Bournville estate is now in it's 3rd year and is organised by Shenley, Weoley, and Bournville Councils, plus Bournville Sea Scouts, Friends of Manor Farm Park and BVT. So far over £4,000 has been raised for good causes such as Help For Heroes and The Acorns. Well done all the walkers!

Estate residents voted that St Mary's Hospice is this years beneficiary. This is a local charity who give vital support to people when they need it most and we hope you will take part to help raise much needed funds. We would love you to join us. Please put the date May 1 2th in your diary. Further

information is available on the BVT website www.bvt.org.uk/newsandevents, on local notice boards, and at Shenley Court Hall. Can you help out on the day? If so please contact the BVT Community Team on 01 21 41 5 6492 Advertise your business or group in the newsletter. Contact or email communityadmin@bvt.org.uk.

Thank you from Tessa Mitchell and Barrie Hoverd Graham on 01 21 628 8555

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Shenley Residents Christmas Party

Prize winners Jean and Bob Spencer

Local residents enjoying the Xmas party put on by volunteers from S.C.C. and Shenley Court Hall. A lovely night was had by all. A full Christmas meal with wine, was followed by a raffle,Open the box, a guest singer and dancing.

Mr and Mrs Mann

The 201 3 Xmas meal will take place on the evening of the 6th Dec.

A year of mixed fortunes in Shenley

Things that go Bang in the Day!

201 2 proved to be a year of mixed fortunes in Shenley. As predicted funding became a major issue and more difficult to obtain. A grant from Bournville Village Trust means Shenley Community Council remains in a strong financial position and is looking forward to the next twelve months activity. Other positive outcomes in our area were the increased numbers taking part in the Sponsored Walk and the Shenley Pensioners Christmas Meal.

On Saturday 1 3th October 201 2 I had the privilege of receiving an Excellence in the Community Award presented at the Awards Ceremony at Birmingham City Football Club. The award was only made possible through the dedication and hard work of the many people who help to make things happen in Shenley In November 201 2 I attended Weoley Hill Village Councils Annual General Meeting and became aware of how much more engaged

Have you heard bangs or gunshots in Shenley through out the summer and even into the autumn and wondered what they were? Well the source has been tracked down.

Sometimes it is due to a local farmer using single shot bird scarer’s in their fields around the Frankley church area. This wasn't the main source though. If you heard multiple bangs going on from dawn until to dusk at week ends then this is due to 1 2 bore shot guns, in the same Frankley church area, being used by a few shooting fanatics who are “shooting pigeons” - and goodness knows what else!

Local councillors are on the case as there have been complaints not only of the noise nuisance but also of pets being frightened by the continuing loud bangs. Some local dogs have been so frightened that owners cannot take them out at all when the guns are shooting!!

What do you think?

their residents are with the every day issues that affect their community. The audience

Lord Mayor at Ley Hill Park

attendance was high and residents were responsive on issues raised by the Chairman and our Local City Councillors. These issues will affect residents of Shenley in the future and we understand how important it is to engage residents with Local Authority representatives so you can have your say.

Disappointments came with the responses from Shenley residents on some issues and these are used as an indication of the level of interest Shenley residents have in their community. SCC know their is apathy amongst residents in our area but remain firm in our endeavours and commitment to improve the health and well being of our Shenley community.

We have a AGM with free refreshments 29th April please come along and find out what we do and tell us what you would like to see to happen in Shenley. We need your support.

Barrie Hoverd Chairman SCC.

Useful contacts:

Birmingham City Council 01 21 303 1111 or for your Ward Councillor 01 21 -303-21 30

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, complete with wellies and a shovel, helped local school children and Birmingham Trees for Life plant over 300 trees in Ley Hill Park.

Wilmott Dixon staff, The Friends Of Ley Hill Park, and Park Rangers all got stuck in planting the 300 trees on this cold November day.

Five standard (large) trees were also planted on the Holloway. This is another major step in transforming Ley Hill Park from a neglected wilderness into a family and wildlife friendly park.

Holloway Hall provided a very welcome warming cup of tea and cakes for the chilled tree planters after the event.

Contact Graham on 628 8555 if you would like to help or join in with the Friends or go to their website for more information: http://www.folhpark.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Dick Rodgers a Shenley Resident with a passion

Graham Andrews talks with Dick Rodgers: Dick how long have you and your family lived in Meadow Brook Road Shenley?

I was born in St Alban's, grew up in Belfast, went to school at Monkton Combe near Bath and then to Bart's Medical College. Then I joined the Royal Orthopaedic, as a trainee surgeon in 1 983, as well as working at Selly Oak and the old Accident Hospital. We brought our son with us and our second one’s a Brummie – both launched into life from Green Meadow School!

Dick I think many local residents will remember your campaign locked in a cell in the city centre. Why did you do it and was it successful?

It was! It is awesome that people still remember that from1 986. I wanted the Soviets to release Russian Christian poetess Irina Ratushinskaya from 1 2 years in labour camp and Siberian exile where they put her because they didn’t like her lively poems. They paid her poetry the ultimate compliment: prison! I made a replica of her cell (a board for a bed, a thin blanket, head shaved, bread and gruel diet) in St Martin’s in the Bull Ring and spent the 46 days of Lent in it emulating her conditions. Lots of people helped me. Even Frankie Howerd - bless him - rang and chatted with me for 20 minutes to cheer me up. It got on the main BBC TV news. After Easter nothing happened. Then in October I flew to lobby for her at the Reagan Gorbachev summit in Iceland. My wife rang my room in the Salvation Army hostel in Reykjavik from our home in Meadow Brook Road to tell me, “Irina was released yesterday!” Wow! I welcomed her and her husband Igor at Heathrow on national TV and they came to our home for a cup of tea! She thanked me and wrote me a poem to say so! I still feel the thrill 26 years later!

Dick what made you as a Shenley resident decide to form the Common Good?

I worked for the release of some 200 other Soviet prisoners of conscience until no clear cut cases were left. Then the Berlin Wall fell. Then more doctoring, some clergyman-ing and, from 1 993 to 1 997, travelled back and forth to Sudan to stop a civil war there, that had cost 2 million lives, armed with my rucksack and a lot of time sitting around in bigwig’s offices. Success in the end- along with the work of lots of others. But all along I cared about a malaise I detected at home in Britain. I felt the unhappiness around me and yet I could see lots of work needing doing on the world scene that we as a nation would be rather good at.

Dick, what would the Common Good like to achieve ?

I just want our country to be a really good one and a happy place to live and work – a nation we can feel proud to belong to. There’s lots to do in the world to enable people to bring up their children in peace and prosperity. I want British children to grow up in an energetic society that’s passionate to see better things happen in the world. They’ll pick up the enthusiasm of the adults in their lives. The world needs us. A challenge will do us good.

What next in 2013 for Dick and the Common Good?

Public meetings are held at Northfield Library on the first Saturday of every month.It’s free!

Everyone is welcome.Be careful as you might start getting excited about life and improving the feel of the country, putting the banks right, saving the NHS and elderly care from the “market” etc.

The Common Good is a political party that doesn’t want to be a political party. We’d prefer to create consensus. God blessed my work in Russia and the Sudan. Britain is a tougher one to crack but I believe he’ll bless this too!

Dick Rodgers 63 Meadow Brook Road B31 1ND 0121 4760789 dick@rodgers.org.uk http://thecommongood.info

What 's a dinosaur called that smashes everything? Tyrannosaurus wrecks.

What's a cowboy dinosaur called? ...............Tyrannosaurus Tex.

The Shenley Hub

What’s going to happen when BVT move out of their offices on Shenley Green? Well

here is one possibility a Hub – its a bit like a Community Shop. Local residents led by Jackie Barthorpe, are forming a small Hub committee and BVT are offering financial support to conduct a feasibility study on whether the Hub committee can set up and run a Community Hub. Local residents can run projects as well as pop into the Hub & take part in activities designed to work alongside and compliment other organisations in the area. It is planned that the Hub will be owned and run by the local community but it needs your help to succeed. Do you have any skills or ideas you want to share? Time on your hands you can put to good use? Volunteering to help people in your community? Would you like to sit on the planning committee? Whatever you feel you can contribute, all are very welcome. The Hub will be a safe place you can pop into to access local services and activities as well as a place to turn to if you need help or advice. BVT are keen to support this but will only do so if the community are behind the venture. So come on Shenley tell them what you want! Come and join this enthusiastic and exciting project.Jackie would love to hear from you. Phone Jackie on 07811 91 5238 or drop into BVT Shenley office to find out more.

Whoopee its Free drinks for walkers on May 12th For those residents doing the charity walk on May 12th there will be free refreshments for you at Shenley Court Hall donated by your Community Council. Remember you can start and finish the walk wherever you want, and do as much or as little of the route as you feel able to do. Bring the kids, bring the dog, bring the wife... Its all about raising money for St Mary's hospice. See you there.

The new store opens on the 1 4th October 201 3 but the store is due for completion by late summer 201 3 It will comprise of a stilted store of circa 38,000ft² together with 433 parking spaces.

It is a large stores, a so called superstore. There can be no doubt the store will be a mixed blessing to our area. It will bring added local shopping choices.It will bring new jobs but it will impact negatively on Weoley Castle Square and all those small businesses. How many will survive? It will bring higher volumes of traffic and congestion to Shenley Lane.

Site works have so far comprised the demolition/clearance of existing premises formerly occupied

by All Electric Garages and the RSPCA .The clearance of a large number of trees and the initial works associated with a watercourse diversion has taken place.

Ecological issues and works affecting the site have been completed according to the contractors.

These have included, the creation of a new badger sett for the existing site incumbents who have been encouraged to move with the aid of nightly peanut trails to their new abode.

If you are interested in vacancies, look on the ASDA website for job opportunities from July.

Wise Words?

As a senior citizen I was pondering the problems of the world, such as: If walking is good for your health, why isnt the postman immortal?

A rabbit doesn’t drink alcohol, or smoke. It runs and hops everywhere,and lives life to the full....yet it only lives 1 0 years!

A whale swims all day, only eats oily fish, drinks water, and is very very fat!!

Yet they still tell me to exercise, keep fit and watch what i eat??

I don't think so! It's the tortoise life for me!

I'm retired............ Go around me!!

The next newsletter will be delivered Sept 2013. We need your comments, letters,

pictures, adverts and articles by end of August so please send them to any committee member or ring me on 01 21 628 8555 or send them to ShenleyCC@live.co.uk This is the first ever colour newsletter what do you think..really good? waste of time? why bother? Please Tell us!

Come along 29th April its free to Shenley residents All Shenley residents are invited to Shenley Court Hall on 29th April at 6.30 pm for free refreshements and a chance to meet your Shenley Community Council (SCC) members. This

your chance to put across to the members any topic that concerns you. S.C.C. will hold its annual AGM at the same time. We need your ideas and enthusiasm. Don't be shy come and meet your community council.

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RSPCA­The Animal Hospital and Rehoming Centre.

The centres move to new premises at Frankley Green went really well, and the centre opened its doors to the public on Monday 5th November. The new centre still needs more funds and the public are great supporters. A male voice choir concert took place in Cradley Heath raised £1 00s; an event at Symphony Hall raised over £1 200; plus a local Barclays Bank team came out to plant £500 worth of plants in the memorial garden.

People can obviously drive to the new centre and park in the new car park. There is of course no public transport link to the Animal hospital.

The system for rehoming an animal is exactly the same as in the old California Centre. Look on the website rspca.org.uk and click on 'pet search' and find the type of animal you want. Or come and have a look round -RSPCA are open every day to the public (11 am-3.1 5pm) except Tuesday. If there is an animal you like, put a reserve on it, and the RSPCA arrange a home visit - if all goes well, you have a new pet within a week. Helen Tuite ­RSPCA Manor House

The property has belonged to the University of Birmingham since 1 953, when it was purchased from the Cadbury family for use as a hall of residence. A farm house, part of the Manor of Northfield, belonging to the Jervoise family, was recorded as being on the site circa 1 750. In 1 809 the estate was purchased by Daniel Ledsam, a London merchant. It is believed that he made alterations to the house and was responsible for the current main building.

George Cadbury bought the house in 1 890 and the Cadburys moved there from Woodbrooke in Selly Oak, Birmingham in 1 894. They lived at Mnor House together until George's death at the house in 1 922. Elizabeth resided there until her own death in 1 951 , aged 93.The house was subsequently converted for use as halls of residence Additional wings have since been added.

The university has now sold the site to Banner homes for development.The plan is to keep the old Cadbury house and convert it to apartments, and retain some of the grounds. Some land will be lost to accommodate 1 25 residences- 42 flats and houses -are planned to be built in this very nice area by Banner homes.The BCC planning decision is expected in March 201 3. For Banner homes plans see online:http://www.bannerhomes.co.uk/consultation/northfield/proposals w Give away.. Apply no lim ite d tim e on ly so rs ou H ee Fr ­ io ud St ing stu dio for a away fre e hours in th eir re cord

giving offe r. 01 21 47 5 7521 is th ok bo to r ee gin En d un So wh y not contact Ja m es – ou r

Shenley Court Hall is

What happens if frogs park illegally?.......they get toad How do dinosaurs pay their bills? .....With Tyrannosaurus checks.

Advertisments BOURNVILLE MODEL RAILWAY CLUB EXHIBITION Saturday 7th September 2013. 10am – 4 pm At The Hollymoor Centre

Present their model railway

8, Manor Park Grove, Northfield Birmingham B31 5EU Adults £4, Concessions £3, Children £1 Family £8 Even more layouts and trade support.

Refreshments available Holloway Hall Holloway Hall is a new hall for use by the community providing easily accessible rooms for hire which are excellent for small to medium size events – from wedding receptions, birthday parties to training courses,classes or conferences to business meetings,all within a pleasant location. Whether you’re looking for a one-off use, or running a regular group, come and have a look round the hall - sited in the park.

You are most welcome. For room availability, how we can help you, and details on booking please contact: Kerry Brewer Holloway Hall Ley Hill Birmingham B31 1TT 0121 478 2263 Email Kerry.brewer@btconnect.com Shenley Court Hall provides space and support to a range of groups and activities. We welcome all A warm invitation to discuss key issues new users into our friendly and then and relaxed environment with DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM! activities for everyone in the Community.

Why not come along to one of our groups or I have a cunning plan! telephone for information on our weekly activities.

Public meetings with Dick Rodgers Transpot might be provided from your door to First Saturday of each month in 201 3 P. ours at a small extra cost.

6th April, 4th May, 1st June We are interested to hear from you if you wish to 10.30­ 3.30 with a free light lunch at start a new group. We will support you with Northfield Library advertising and printing as well as preferential Church Road B31 2LB room hire rates to give you time to build the The Common Good is a political party with a group. New groups that have recently started are a Stroke Support, Dance Classes and a Friday Christian world view. evening Karate group.Call us now for further We want to work with others to make Britain a happy, inspiring place to live and details 01 21 475 7521 . Alternatively, take a look at our new website www.shenleycourthall.co.uk work and a prosperous, kind and energetic society doing good in the world and bringing which gives more details of the groups, clubs and activities. Find out more about our fully equipped people together.

BPM Recording Studio. The studio offers 63 Meadow Brook Road Birmingham B31 1 ND. 01 21 476 0789. dick@rodgers.org.uk rehearsal space for bands,you can record your work. Other uses include private hire, vocalist http://thecommongood.inf coaching, musical instrument tuition and sound Twitter:@dick_rodgers technicians can hire the studio.

Facebook: Common Good (The)

Promoting the Common Good

Tea on the Green

" Have you heard that the empty grocers shop on Shenley Green is being reopened as a cafe"?

So many people have said that to me recently that it was time to go and have a look for myself.

The brand new gleaming frontage which greeted me on Shenley Green proclaims "Yesterdays Tea Room". Very posh I thought not a cafe then but a "Tea Room". Now here i am walking through the lovely glass art deco front door in muddy jeans and a scruffy t shirt. I was quite expecting to be greeted with "Oi. You there! I say! You there! Yes you in the jeans. Tradesman round the back please".

I could not have been more wrong. I was greeted with a very cheery welcome from Angela the owner. As I sat down at one of the nicely laid out tables, overlooked by old Cadbury posters, it all felt very light, warm, friendly and comfortable. I was immediately put at ease as Angela popped over to ask if i would like a drink. I explained I was there to ask a few questions on behalf of Shenley residents.

Fire away she said with a cheeky grin.

Angela why did you choose to open a cafe at this location?

I live just off Woodlands Park Road. I had worked for 23 yrs as a security manager at Birmingham University and i always wanted to open a traditional Tea room. When the opportunity arose I hunted for the correct premises it took quite a time. I chose Shenley Green because I love the community spirit and environment of Shenley. Shenley has a very strong community feeling and identity.

I run the business with my help from my retired father. Dad really enjoys helping me from 11 am each day and chatting to customers, as he waits on the tables.

Why did you call it Yesterdays Tea Rooms?

Well the 1 930's and 40's are my passion explained Angela. We wanted a unique name that no one else had and we did not want to call it a cafe. Mike and I came up with the name at roughly the same time. Great minds thinking alike! The tea room is focused on afternoon teas but we listen to what customers want and now serve sandwiches, soups, casseroles and cakes.All are locally sourced and freshly made. I like to buy from local farms and I want to promote local produce, and producers. We have seasonal menus too.

We open 6 days a week Monday to Saturday 9am to 1 6.00hrs except Wednesdays 9am to 2.30 although most Wednesdays I don't close till 1 6.00! I am closed Sundays and Bank Holidays How long have you been open?

We opened on 1 st December and i am truly surprised how quickly business has grown just by word of mouth. We are doing really well on recommendations. Ideally we would like Yesterdays to become an important part of the Shenley community.

I was enjoying the swing music playing gently in the background and the smell of a freshly cooked casseroles being delivered to 3 Shenley Academy students on the next table.

I can see Yesterdays becoming a firm favourite with Shenley Folk. I put on my jacket and headed off into the February snow and thought I shall be back soon for an afternoon tea with scones and Devonshire cream. See you soon Angela Why don't you do the same? Graham Andrews Free tea offer..with

this newsletter.

Why not pop along to Yesterdays, place your order and show a copy of this newsletter to Angela and she will be happy to offer you a free cup of tea. Offer ends 30th April.

Tea Fact: 98% of people take their tea with milk, but only 30% take sugar in it.

You live in the year of the Snake or 2013 as we know it.

The Chinese calendar is over 3500 yrs old. It is based on exact astronomical observations of the sun's longitude and the moon's phases, and attempts to have its years coincide with the tropical year. The ordinary year has 1 2 months and a leap year has 1 3 months; and an ordinary year has 353-355 days while a leap year has 383-385 days. The years are named after animals and are used in a 1 2 year rotation: Zi (rat). Chou (ox). Yin (tiger). Mao (rabbit).Chen (dragon).Si (snake).Wu (horse).Wei (sheep).

Shen (monkey).You (rooster). Xu (dog). Hai (boar/pig).

This pattern of naming years within a cycle dates back about 2000 years. It has been customary to number the cycle since 2637 BC, when the calendar was supposedly invented. It is believed that the Emperor Huang Di introduced the calendar between 3000 and 2600 BC The Chinese calendar features 1 2 months. However, an extra month is inserted in the calendar when a leap year occurs. Therefore, leap years in the Chinese calendar have 1 3 months, unlike leap years in the Gregorian calendar in which an extra day is included. A leap month is added to the Chinese calendar about once every three years. A leap year in the Chinese calendar does not necessarily fall at the same time a leap year occurs in the Gregorian calendar.

Groucho Marx's one liners

1 .Room service? Send up a larger room.

2.I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the TV set, I go into the other room and read a book.

3.I didn't like the play, but I saw it under adverse conditions - the curtain was up.

4. A husband who wants a happy marriage should learn to keep his mouth shut and his cheque book open.

5.Military intelligence is a contradiction in terms.

6 .He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.

7.Look, if you don't like my parties, you can leave in a huff. If that's too soon, leave in a minute and in a huff. If you can't do that, you can leave in a taxi.

8. How do you feel about women's rights? I like either side of them.

9.From the moment I picked up your book until I put it down I was convulsed with laughter.

Some day I intend reading it 1 0. I never forget a face, but in your case, I'll be glad to make an exception.

11 . Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I do have others.

Neighbourhood Watch

Tasking meetings, where you can meet your local Shenley police, find out facts, or raise your issues, have restarted at St. Davids Church. These are run by our local Shenely police team. They will be take place Wednesday’s between 6­8pm on the following dates: March 20th, April 17th, May 22nd, June 19th July 24th, August 21st.

September 25th, October 23rd, and November 27th. See you there?

The main source of annoyance to local residents at the moment is inconsiderate parking e.g. blocking of pavements, the school run parking, and destroying grass verges.

DID YOU KNOW? 11 2 is the European emergency number, reachable from fixed and mobile phones, free of charge, everywhere in the EU and that now includes the UK. Note: it works on mobiles no matter if you have a signal or not. 11 2 has the advantage that your phone can be located even if you dont know where you are. Of course 999 is still the offical emergency number for the UK.

What is The Green Deal?

The government has launched a new energysaving scheme called the Green Deal. For the first time anybody who wants to save energy in their home can receive funding and other types of financial assistance to pay for the up-front costs of doing the work. Previously only cavity wall or loft insulation received help from the government but now properties with solid walls and inefficient boilers can receive financial help as well as other energy saving measures like new doors and windows and various types of heating up-grades. Potentially get 90% off new boilers and up to £1 ,000 cash back on other energy-saving measures.

Northfield Ecocentre are running talks, presentations and workshops.For more information,on the scheme please contact Luke Olly on 01 21 448 011 9 or lluke@northfieldecocentre.org. You can also visit their web site for more information www.northfieldecocentre.org.

BOURNVILLE VILLAGE TRUST RESIDENT FORUMS

Bournville Village Trust is introducing an online forum where residents can talk to each other about local issues. Try it, you can even create your own topics ! htpp:\\www.openview.bvt.org.uk It’s not a replacement for other social platforms like facebook (although BVT are on there too) but it’s a way you can raise issues directly with the Trust and discuss them with other residents in an informal manner at a time that suits you.

It’s run by the BVT Community Team and the Resident Panels so it’s a good place to raise what’s important to you in your local area. It’s not a good place to raise personal issues or make complaints though, you are best using their less public methods to do that. If you need any help with this the BVT Community Team are on hand to help on 01 21 41 5 651 8 or e-mail them on communityadmin@bvt.org.

HOW DO I ADVERTISE IN THE NEWSLETTER? Cost effective local business advertising to local people. Put you

business right in front of Shenley residents . Literally delivered through their letter box onto their door mat.

The newsletter is delivered twice a year to 2,500 homes.

How else are you going to get your business known so cost effectively?

Contact Graham Andrews to discuss your advert. 0121­628­8555

Housing Services Committee (HSC)

HSC is a way for tenants through their representatives to get their points and issues across to BVT. The HSC committee consists of tenants representatives, BVT officers, Directors and trustees.Our Shenley reps on HSC are Paul Banner and Steve Richards.

Shenley reps tried for 4 yrs to influence the BVT double glazing replacement timescales. In the end they succeeded in getting BVT to acknowledge the issue and for BVT to bring its programme forward by about 30yrs. In 201 2 the replacement rate rose from 30 to 1 80.(cost of £750K). All Shenley houses with metal window frames will be completed by 201 3 (cost of £1 million) not 2035 as originally planned by BVT. If you feel as a tenant, you have not got the desired outcome after you contacted BVT then why not contact Paul on 0772260411 0 to see if Paul can help you.

SHENLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE & CONTACT DETAILS Chairman: Barry Hoverd 0121 478 2587 barrie.hoverd@hotmail.co.uk Secretary: Graham Andrews 0121 628 8555 graham.andrews@blueyonder.co.uk Treasurer; Carole Cooke 0121 476 7710 Members of the Council.

Darshan Bhumbla. Freda Stanton Paul Banner.­ ESMC and HSC representative Jackie Barthorpe­. ESMC representative Co­opted representatives Karen Turvey ; Shenley Court Hall Tessa Mitchell; BVT Communities.

Valerie Taylor; Ward commitee.

Why are there no asprins in the jungle?

Cos the parrots-ate-em-all!

Changes In Green Meadow Road

Lower Shenley and Virgin Media

The area continues to change and Shenley Green is the latest area to see a new BVT Housing development which has not suited all.

In the last ten months or so we have seen a green, peaceful pleasant area transformed to provide bungalows and apartments. Residents can make their own mind up about the suitability but certainly the impact on those that live around them has been considerable. No one has had a lie-in during the construction with the constant beeping of reversing vehicles, diggers, low loaders, delivery vehicles etc. This is extremely stressful especially for shift workers.

One disturbing thing is the negative impact upon the road and pavements around the development and up to now the reinstatement of these after excavations for gas, water, electricity, cable etc has been pitiful.

It is to be hoped that the contractors along with BVT will take a long look at what they have left us with and make good the pavements not just next to the development but in the surrounding area.

Personally, I wil be cleaning my carpets etc with the hope of them remaining clean for a few days without mud being trailed into the house. I live in hope but not that much.

From the B.V.T point of view these 1 9 new Apartments and bungalows will allow existing tenants to downsize to more suitable accommodation which in turn allows larger families to have a new home.

Other things in our area have happened and are more positive such as the money raised for local charities from the Sponsored walk.

Shenley Community Council is helping to set up local activities. A new CafĂŠ has opened on Shenley Green which we all wish well since it could become a meeting place for residents.

Following a request to Shenley Community Councils (SCC) members residents of the new development were invited to a public meeting to discuss and share views to determine the best way forward on the issue of sole Television Provision by Virgin Media to properties at Lower Shenley. The meeting was arranged,hall booked, and invitations to attend were hand delivered by council members to 1 67 properties affected by the issue. Members of staff from Shenley Court Hall gave their services by organising a crèche/play group to accommodate parents with children and our local City Councillors Peter Osborne and Adrian Delaney attended. Thirty minutes after the meeting began it was obvious to SCC members that there were not enough residents present to form a constructive consensus and the meeting was cancelled. From the register of signatories taken at the door only seven residents representing three propeties attended the meeting. At the next SCC meeting members concluded the amount of interest shown by residents was an indication that the majority of residents must be happy with the service provided by Virgin Media and the unanimous decision was taken not to proceed any further with the issue. Any resident who is not satisfied with the Virgin service should pursue the issue individually.

If you are able to help with your local Shenley Community Council we would welcome your support.

Contact either: Chair Barrie Hoverd or Treasurer Carole Cooke

Selly Oak Hospital Site

Up to 650 new homes providing housing for 1 ,650 people,will be built on the former Selly Oak Hospital site. City councillors have ruled that the University Hospitals Trust can develop the 1 7 hectare site and which will help meet Birmingham's demand for thousands of new homes.

Local councillors and residents had raised concerns over pressure on local services, roads and the lack of industry in the plan.The Victorian Society had objected to the loss of part of an old Victorian workshop.Eight heritage buildings, including the water tower and the well block, will be preserved and restored.

NEWSLETTER DELIVERY

YOUR AREA NEEDS YOUR HELP TO DELIVER 2,500 COPIES A big thank you to all our smashing voluteers but we are always looking for more in Shenley. Can you help deliver our newsletter twice a year?

You can help by offering to deliver as little as 1 0 copies in your Close or as many as 1 50 copies in your Road. Its up to you but we do need your help in our Shenley community.

If you can help delivering in Shenley Fields Road and Gorse Close, Clover Road, Hawkstone Road, Meaburn Close, Naunton Close, Lower Shenley, Black Haynes Road, St Denis Road, parts of Spiceland Road and many others. Once

registered your copies will be available for collection from Shenley Court Hall or they can be delivered to your door by one of our council members. To register or for more information please contact Karen Turvey at Shenley Court Hall or contact one of your community council members.

PLEASE REMEMBER : OUR NEWSLETTER IS THE ONLY CONTACT SOME RESIDENTS HAVE WITH THEIR COMMUNITY BCC Wheelie Bins

Birmingham City Council are currently planning to stop the use of black plastic waste bags and crates, providing every property in the city with three different coloured wheelie bins.

While these may be more hygienic and reduce the amount of litter scattered around our estate they will bring their own problems such as poor visual appearance, storage issues, sheer size and weight, and handling issues for those with disabilities or steps etc.

Councillors Osborne and Freeman have organised a resident survey. BCC have said there will be a consultation. SCC encourages residents to discuss the issue with their representatives. S.C.C. representatives on the BVT lead Estates Schemes and Management Committee (ESMC) have raised resident concerns with Bournville Village Trust and have also raised the matter at the recent ESMC meeting. Barrie Hoverd.

BVT. Solar Panels

In our last issue we printed a survey form and asked residents to complete and return the forms with their views about changing BVT's Design Guide to allow solar panels to be erected on property roofs visible from the roadside. From the 2,500 properties in Shenley all of whom received the newsletter only (33) residents returned their survey forms.

The number returned was low and very low for the number of copies distributed but it reflects the feeling across the whole of the BVT estate.

Residents are not concerned by panels on roofs. Representative from all three BVT's Community Councils will present their findings to the Estates Schemes and Management Committee soon. SCC will await their response but it appears that solar panels erected on roofs visible from the roadside is not an issue for Shenley residents.

Fancy That!

Heroin was once the brand name for morphine.

To make half a kilo of honey, bees must collect nectar from over 2 million individual flowers.

Nine out of 10 of all living things on the planet live in the ocean.

The banana cannot reproduce itself. It can be propagated only by the hand of man.

The tooth is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself.

The 1976 Swine Flu vaccine caused more death and illness than the disease it was supposed to cure!

From the bottom of a well or a tall chimney if you look up, you can see stars, even at mid day In ancient times strangers shook hands to show that they were unarmed.

Strawberries are the only fruits whose seeds grow on the outside.

The moon moves about two inches away from the Earth each year.

The Earth gets 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust due to earth's gravity.

It is impossible for mountains to be higher than 15,000 meters.(49,000 feet) Up until 1752 Britain used the Julian calendar and New Years day was on 25th March!!

Tree Planting in Meadow Brook Recreation Ground Trees for life plant young trees with Children from Victoria Special

HALLOWEEN ANTICS IN MANOR FARM PARK

BVT and Shenley Community Council supported the Friends of Manor Farm Park with their 'Roots and Fruits Family Fest' on the 26th October. The Friends put on a range of activities including wild flower planting, signing up volunteers to plant the new Jubilee Orchard in November, Apple Bobbing and Hook a Duck. BVT staff were also on hand pumpkin carving.

Bournville Model Railway showed a couple of layouts. Angling Unlimited promoted their angling activities. Conservation Trust Volunteers were also there promoting their allotment developments and Green Gym activities while Northfield Eco Centre were also promoting their initiatives.

Alys Fowler, 'The Guardians' gardening expert and 'Gardner's World' presenter led a foraging walk in the park, refreshments and cakes were on sale. The face painting proved extremely popular. Over 1 20 people attended the event which aimed to raise the profile of the park,and get local people involved and raise funds to support the Friends activities. Manor Farm Park was once part of the Cadbury's estate when they lived at the Manor House. It was then bequeathed to the City of Birmingham and is now looked after by the Parks Department and the Friends. For more information about the Friends, how to become involved and future events see their website SHENLEY BLOOMS IN BVT GARDEN COMPETITION

Shenley residents won 6 awards at the Annual BVT Gardening Competition Awards including overall winner for Mr Kevin Cotter. The winners were announced at the Awards Evening which took place at Dame Elizabeth Hall on the1 5th October.

The other Shenley winners were :- Vegetables : Mr Breedon, The George Award for Front Gardens : Jay Mason – Burns.

The Gordon Cherry Award for Hanging Baskets : Kevin Cotter, BVT Allotment : Stanisawa Pietsch, Lower Shenley Allotments Eco Garden - Northfield Manor School The presentation of the awards was followed by a sit down meal. Members of the Shenley and Woodlands youth club volunteered as waiters to serve guests with food and drink. The youngsters won Best Volunteer Youth Group at BVTs 'Excellence in the Community Awards' at Birmingham City F.C. in October. All in all an excellent night for Shenley reflecting the effort and pride residents take in maintaining their gardens. Entry forms for the 201 3 competition will be sent with the Spring BVT Inview magazine or available on the BVT Eco Gdn Northfield website.

Green Meadow School Manor School