Archive for category: Community

Barnt Green supports those in need 

Residents and organisations in Barnt Green are gearing up to support three local charities on a very special weekend in July, with 15 gardens opening their doors to the public, a flower festival and many other activities.

The event, to be held on July 2nd and 3rd between 2 and 5 pm each day, has been organised by local residents Rachel Banner and Maureen Frowley and has the support of the local parish council and many local businesses who are providing administrative and other facilities.

Rachel, who is a former Parish Councillor, commented, “We hope this event will bring the whole community together to raise funds for individuals with learning difficulties through the “Where Next” organisation, local homeless young people who rely on the “Basement Project” and older people who attend the local Day Centre that receives no statutory funding. It’s a way of having fun, sharing what we have in the village whilst helping others of all ages.”

Maureen added that not only had they received support from the parish council and other local organisations but also from the Worcestershire County Organiser for the National Gardens Scheme, David Morgan, who had provided guidance relating to the gardens being open.

The 15 gardens open will be in various locations around the village with maps available for visitors to find their way round easily, whilst the flower festival will be located in St. Andrews church. Other attractions will include an art exhibition in the Meeting House in Sandhills Road, teas and a second hand bookstall in the Parish Centre and many of the shops will be decorated to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

There will even be a “Duck Hunt” for the children to take part in and jams and plants for sale at many of the gardens.

Admission to the event will be £5 per adult, with accompanied children being admitted free.

Parking will be available on the day.

Open Garden Banner

The parish council is hosting another Shindig event, this time it is ‘The Origin of Species’ at St Andrews Parish Centre, Sandhills Road Barnt Green B45 8NR on Saturday 16th April.

The Origin of Species is an uproarious musical-comedy solo show telling of Charles Darwin’s discovery of the secrets of evolution.

The show is packed with fascinating scientific facts, terrible puns, brilliant physical comedy and witty original songs about everything from boring barnacles to the perils of marrying your cousin.

‘Remarkably inventive, thoroughly entertaining… extraordinarily effective… science can rarely have been so much fun.’ Stage MUST SEE

‘A charming load of monkey business.’ ★★★★ Three Weeks Edinburgh

This is aimed at everyone looking for a night out of high-quality, ENTERTAINING musical-comedy with friends and family in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  It will especially appeal to fans of interactive and storytelling theatre, fans of BBC’s QI / Infinite Monkey Cage / Dara O Briain’s Science Club and those with an interest in scientific issues.

This show is suitable for adults and older children (11+).  It lasts for 70 minutes and is performed by Tangram Theatre (www.tangramtheatre.co.uk).

The show will start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 (Adult) and £8.50 (senior 65+ or Junior 11 to under 18).   Family ticket for 2 Adults and 2 Junior is £34.50.

Tickets are available from the parish council office 80 Hewell Road, B45 8NF (Mon – Thurs, 10am – 1pm), by phone 0121 447 9893 or by email to .

The bar will be open from 6.45pm and during the interval.

Network Rail has provided an update on the closure of the footpath between Barnt Green and Cofton that crosses the railway line north of Barnt Green station (footpath no. 500), as attached: Cofton footpath crossing to remain closed for 2016  and below…

“Network Rail has confirmed that the footpath level crossing at Cofton will remain closed during 2016 while a safer solution for crossing the railway on this route is found and put in place.

The crossing passes over three live railway lines with a maximum speed of 90mph and 300 trains per day.  A study of the crossing in summer 2015 which formed part of the Bromsgrove to Barnt Green electrification project revealed that there was insufficient warning time of approaching trains and the crossing was closed on 9 July 2015.

Ben Parish, level crossing manager for Network Rail, said: “We have had to extend the closure of the footpath crossing at Cofton as it is not safe to cross the three railway lines with trains travelling at such fast speeds as there is simply not enough warning time of oncoming trains.

“We will continue to explore options to allow footpath users to cross the railway safely at this site and two possible options have been identified. We will be consulting with local stakeholders on these over the next few months.”

The crossing connecting Cofton Church Lane and Bittell Farm Road near Barnt Green, has been legally stopped-up by way of an Order confirmed by Worcester County Council and approved by the Department for Transport. The Order will remain in place until 31 December 2016 while Network Rail finds a solution which will allow users of the public footpath to cross the railway safely.”