Fantastic Fordbridge Fun Day

The Council hosted its 10th annual fun day on 23rd August for the benefit of the people of Fordbridge and councillors were absolutely delighted that so many people took advantage of the free day and the warm sunny weather. Police and the fire service joined local people in a relaxed atmosphere to demonstrate some of their equipment. The event had to be re-scheduled due to waterlogged ground and the Council is extremely grateful to all of the attractions who kindly agreed to rearrange the date. Pictured above are the Chairman of the Council opening the event, local youngsters conquering the mobile wall, “Bellitastic” doing their thing and a pair of gladiators.

Garden Competition 2009

Fordbridge Town Council would like to invite entries for its 2009 Garden competition. The competition started a number of years ago and has grown in size over the last few years. The Council wants to encourage pride in the area and to further increase participation in the contest. The overall winner of this year’s competition will win £150 and there are other prizes for
second, third and fourth and area winners.

The most recent winners have been:-
2008 & 2006 32 Oak Croft and 77 Oak Croft joint winners

2007 16 Piggots Croft
2005 32 Brickhill Drive

2004 182/184 Conway Road.

The competition is for front gardens only including ground floor maisonettes and flats. If you wish to enter please telephone 0121 770 0001 and just give the address or send an e-mail to fordbridge.tc@btconnect.com. You may nominate your own garden or that of a friend, relative or neighbour. The competition will be judged by an independent judge and their decision will be final. The winners will all be honoured at a presentation evening in September. Closing date for entries is 7th August 2009.

Chairman Cheques Out

Councillor Lin Sorrell performed her last duty as Chairman of Fordbridge Town Council at its Annual Meeting held on Monday 11th May by presenting cheques to two charities. The charities in question, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK were the beneficiaries of the hugely successful Charity Dance held on 28th March 2009.The event contributed to raising the magnificent sum of £2,200 which was divided equally between the two organisations both, as is customary nominated by the Chairman.

Pictured are Councillor Sorrell together with Donna Stokes from British Heart Foundation and Jo Oldfield from Diabetes UK together with members of “Bellytastic” who came along to lend their support again. Councillor Sorrell said that “she wished to thank everybody for their tremendous support at the Dance and that the funds raised would benefit two extremely worthy causes. She particularly thanked “Bellytastic” who had given up their time to perform and come along again to support this evening”.

Review of The Year

The Annual Meeting of the parish of Fordbridge was held on Monday 18th May 2009. The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Alan Nash presented the following report of the activity of Fordbridge Town Council during the last 12 months.

The Council continues to work on behalf of the local community in a number of ways. The Fordbridge Centre is a valuable asset to the community continuing to offer a base to a number of diverse community groups and is extremely well used. The comparatively new premises licence has allowed a larger number of people to stage celebrations at the Centre and provides increased revenue which is re-invested in the local community.

The Council stages an annual Garden competition which this year saw its largest ever number of entries and possibly the fiercest competition for prizes. The standard of the gardens within the parish of Fordbridge is extraordinarily high and the Council salutes the dedication of the gardeners and the pride that so many people show in their area. The presentation evening for the entrants is an ideal opportunity for the local community to get together and the attendance at the event was also extremely high.

The Council also stages an Annual Fun Day providing a number of attractions for local young people, which is another opportunity to bring the local community together and was also extremely well attended.

The Council provides and maintains shrub beds at gateway locations in the parish. These shrub beds enhance the local area and improve and protect the environment. The Council publishes a newsletter every quarter providing information regarding forthcoming events and local issues. The newsletter offers an opportunity for the Council to communicate with its electors and to demonstrate how it is using resources.

The Council has provided financial support to the local Royal British Legion to assist with its quest to resurface the club car park. The Council also met the cost of transporting children from Hatchford School to perform at two events in the centre of Birmingham. The Council continues to provide milk for infant school children at all three sites in Fordbridge and paper towels for those primary schools that have requested it. The Council also supports a Children’s and Youth Council.

The Council also brings the community together to open the festive season with a short ceremony to switch on the Christmas tree lights at the Fordbridge Centre. A carol service was held featuring children from Hatchford School and Fordbridge Youth and Community Theatre Company.

The Chairman hosts an annual charity dance in aid of a charity of their choice. A very successful event having been staged recently to support Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation raising a total of £2,200. The event featured performances by members of “Bellytastic” a group of local belly dancers and also Fordbridge Youth and Community Theatre Company. The Council is delighted to be able to support these two local groups.

The Clerk to the Council this year obtained the Certificate in Local Council Administration allowing the Council to progress with its plan to hopefully achieve the status of “Quality Council”. This Government scheme will give local residents extra confidence that their Council is effectively and efficiently run and provides potentially extra powers to the Council.

The Chairman has represented the Council on various occasions throughout the year and the Council will continue to act as an advocate for the area and its people. The Council this year raised concerns with the relevant authorities in respect of traffic problems on Bosworth Drive and Chelmsley Road. The Council is also keen to support residents come to terms with the massive upheaval that will be regeneration within Fordbridge.

The Council’s services are paid for by local Council tax payers and this year the Council delivered a seventh consecutive year without increasing the amount it requires from its local community. During this period as well as providing its annual services the Fordbridge Centre was extended and refurbished.

Fordbridge Support For Charity

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Lin Sorrell staged her Charity Dance at the Fordbridge Centre on Saturday 28th March 2009. A sell out audience were entertained by the super voice of the “Band In A Box” and the young performers of the Fordbridge Youth and Community Theatre Company. Further entertainment was provided by young and not so young dancers from “Bellytastic”. The event was opened by the beautiful sound of a lone piper. Ticket sales and proceeds from the raffle raised £693 and a further contribution will be made by the Town Council. The two charities to benefit will be the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK both, as is customary nominated by the Chairman. Councillor Sorrell stated that “she wished to thank everybody who attended for their magnificent support the other members of the Council who had helped to stage the event and the local businesses who had provided raffle prizes”. The Council wishes to place on record its gratitude to Boots, Subway, Banbury Club and Revival for providing raffle prizes and showing their commitment to charity and the local community.

Air Training Corps

The Town Council has been asked to publicise the following letter from the Air Training Corps who are based at Archbishop Grimshaw School and are looking for new recruits:-

I am writing to you about recruiting for year 8,9 and 10 school pupils for The Air Training Corps. The Air Training Corps is a Military Youth Organisation funded by the Ministry Of Defence and is also about
developing the youth of today for tomorrow. We do that by keeping them occupied with activities and active in learning and developing themselves. These vary from Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, sports activities and academic subjects that are done between September and March. We also take the Cadets Flying, Gliding, Shooting and on Easter and Summer camps at R.A.F Stations.

We Parade on a Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7-9.30pm and your son or daughter will go through a probationary training programme for 6-8 weeks and pass a test, then they will be given the A.T.C uniform and be enrolled as an Air Cadet. This will cost between £6-£7.50 a month and as little as £1.50 a week towards the upkeep of the uniform. When they get the uniform there will be a charge for the camps but the Flying, Gliding and Shooting is free. All the staff throughout The A.T.C are CRB cleared and have the relevant qualifications when taking the cadets for activities. I would like to see you when your son or daughter is 13 years and 3 months up to 16 years old due to insurance purposes.
I look forward to Seeing you.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Fordbridge Town Council is required in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to issue a guide to published information available for the public.

The classes of information to be published are listed below:-

Who we are and what we do.
What we spend and how we spend it.
What our priorities are and how we are doing.
How we make decisions.
Our policies and procedures.
Lists and Registers
The Services we Offer.

All of the information will be provided in a hard copy available to the public free of charge. All requests for information should be directed to Neil Millard, Clerk to the Council, Fordbridge Town Council, The Fordbridge Centre, Nineacres Drive, Fordbridge, Birmingham, B37 5DD.

Telephone 0121 770 0001
Email address fordbridge.tc@btconnect.com.

Garden Competition 2008

The annual presentation evening for the Council’s Garden Competition was held at the Fordbridge Centre on 19th September 2008. Prizes were presented by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Lin Sorrell and the special guest was Tracey Churchard Solihull’s Head Park Ranger who was the independent judge of the winning gardens. The Chairman and Tracey both praised the high standard of all of the entrants, complimenting them as all winners. The quality of all of the entries is fantastic and the parish of Fordbridge should take great pride in the dedication of its gardeners and the resulting appearance of the area. The overall winners jointly for the second time in three years were 32 Oak Croft and 77 Oak Croft.

Pictured above are Councillor Sorrell, Tracey Churchard, Mr Brown of 32 Oak Croft, Mr Henry of 77 Oak Croft and their respective gardens. The winners are listed below:-

Overall Winner&Best Garden Bennett’s Well Ward 32 Oak Croft/77 Oak Croft

Overall Third Place & Best Garden Hatchford Ward 35 Shelly Close
Overall Third Place  32 Brickhill Drive
Best Community Garden  2 Greyfriars House
Best Bungalow Garden  14 Yorklea Croft
Best New Entrant  114 Bosworth Drive
Best Garden Cole Ward   27 Runcorn Close/29 Runcorn Close

Council Charity Cheque

The Council was pleased to welcome a special guest to its last meeting.

Gill Finch a volunteer worker representing Breast Cancer Care attended to collect a cheque for £2,250.00. The money was raised at the Chairman’s Charity Dance in May and last year’s Chairman, Councillor Flo Nash made the presentation on behalf of the Council. Gill thanked the Council for such a generous donation and Councillor Nash thanked the people of Fordbridge and Councillors whose support had made the donation possible.

Fun Day 2008

The Council staged its annual fun day on 3rd August at the sun kissed Fordbridge Centre. The Chairman of the Council and Bubbles the Clown opened the event and a surge of expectant youngsters headed for the various attractions.

The climbing wall proved to be a huge hit but all of the other activities were extremely well used as well. Bubbles entertained the children throughout the day and the belly dancers moved outside this year to wow the crowds. All of the rides and activities were again free of charge as the Council continues to seek to provide an event open to the whole community. Chairman of the Council, Lin Sorrell was delighted with the record turnout and observed that “everybody seemed to have a wonderful time.”

Good News on Crime!

Crime in Fordbridge fell dramatically during the twelve months to March 2008 compared to the previous year. This was the good news reported by the Police at the Annual Parish Meeting held at the Fordbridge Centre on 19th May 2008. Sergeant Geraldine Ellis confirmed that burglaries had been reduced by 21%, Violent Crime by 3%, and Criminal Damage by 18%. Even more emphatic were reductions in Robbery of 30% and Vehicle Crime by 37%. She also stated that the police locally were committed to sustaining and improving this performance.

The meeting then received an impassioned report from Inspector David Rischmiller stressing his commitment to dealing with other issues of concern to local residents. He confirmed that alcohol related violence and damage continued to be a problem and that appropriate action would be taken against those licensed premises which did not promote the licensing objectives. Dangerous dogs are also perceived as a local problem and the police will again deal robustly with offending animals. He advised that two dogs had been seized recently, one of which had subsequently been destroyed and stated that irresponsible dog ownership will be dealt with rigorously. The final issue of concern was the management of youth offenders. He stressed that a range of measures were available to hold offenders and their parents to account. However if offending behaviour continues then court action will result.

Chairman's Charity Dance

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Flo Nash staged her Charity Dance in support of Breast Cancer Care on Saturday 10th May 2008 at the Fordbridge Centre. The evening was a roaring success with a full house being entertained by the “Band in a Box” and belly dancers from the local Fordbridge Youth and Community Theatre Company. Councillor Nash was delighted with the turnout and thanked the people of Fordbridge for their fantastic support.

Youth Council

Fordbridge Town Council is keen to expand on the success of its Children’s Council and the opportunities it can provide for the young people who make up its members.The Council is therefore delighted to launch its Youth Council.

The Youth Council consists of eleven members drawn from Archbishop Grimshaw School,City Technology College and Grace Academy and all of its members have a keen interest in improving their local community.

A special presentation event was held on Monday 4th June 2007 and hosted by the Chairman of Fordbridge Town Council,Councillor Flo Nash.Each member received a specially designed lapel badge together with an ID card to confirm their membership of the Youth Council.The event was supported by proud parents,grandparents,brothers,
sisters and also teachers,head teachers and members of the Town Council.

Councillor Flo Nash thanked everybody for attending what she hoped was a special evening for all concerned and praised the quality of the Youth Council meetings that she had attended.

Children's Council

Fordbridge Town Council staged a presentation evening on Monday 2nd April 2007 to formally initiate the members of its recently constituted Children’s Council.

The Council comprises of up to four children from the three primary schools within Fordbridge which are Bennett’s Well, Hatchford and St. Anne’s. The children are supported by Councillor Kieran Dooley and the Children’s Society. The aims of the Council include opportunities for the children to contribute their views concerning local issues and to suggest improvements to their local area. The children will also learn a little more of the work of local government and democracy.

The presentation evening was hosted by the Chairman of the Town Council, Councillor Flo Nash. She presented each child with a specially designed lapel badge and an ID card to confirm their membership of the Council. The children were all supported by proud parents and grandparents. Councillor Nash thanked everybody for attending and praised the children for wanting to be involved in their local community and the achievements of the Children’s Council so far.

Christmas Tree Lights

Fordbridge Town Council staged its annual festive event culminating in switching on the Christmas Tree lights at the Fordbridge Centre on Monday 27th November 2006.A large audience of proud parents and councillors were thoroughly entertained by carols sung by the enthusiastic choir from Hatchford School and members of Fordbridge Youth and Community Centre clad in seasonal costumes.The excited guests from Hatchford School also sang and danced around the tree when the lights had been switched on.

The evening ended with the consumption of all of the mince pies,cakes and biscuits and most of the mulled wine.The Chairman of the Council,Councillor Flo Nash praised the delightful contribution of both groups of children admiring in particular the confidence in front of such a large audience.She also thanked everybody for coming and supporting the children and offered her best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year

Major Improvements to The Fordbridge Centre

The Town Council is proud to announce that the newly extended and

re-furbished Fordbridge Centre is fully open for use by the local community.

The Council has always viewed the Centre as a major asset for Fordbridge and believes that this major development will prove even more valuable for the area.The main features of the new Centre are as follows:-

A refurbished main hall featuring a stage and bench seating.
A separate lounge area.
An enhanced kitchen and cooking facilities.
New meeting room space which can be used as one large room or two smaller rooms.
Fully accessible with disabled WC,hearing aid loop and all contained on one floor.

The Centre has been extended to allow the people of Fordbridge an improved and larger building to use for a wider range of functions and events.The Council also hopes that the meeting space will be used by local groups and for training events,conferences and seminars.The Centre also now provides a more welcoming and comfortable feel for the numerous community groups who meet weekly for their various social activities.For further details of costs and availability please contact the Clerk to the Council.