News
Macmillan Coffee Morning Invitation
Castle Bromwich Parish Council once again invite you to their Macmillan Coffee Morning on Saturday 25th September 2010 at Arden Hall, Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
You can browse the various stalls, sit and chat with friends over a cup of tea or coffee or even enjoy a cake in the refurbished Spencer Lounge. There will be craft stalls, plants for sale, face painting with a raffle and tombola. Cllr Norman Davis, Deputy Mayor of Solihull will be present to draw the raffle.
Please do join us, every penny collected goes to support Macmillan Cancer Charity in their work for those with cancer. Last year £664 was raised.
Please ring the Arden Hall Office on 0121 747 7150 if you require further information.
Charity Quiz Night
Castle Bromwich Parish Council invite you to the Charity Quiz Night which will be held on Friday 8th October 2010 starting at 7.30 pm. Come and "pit your wits" against the Quiz Master
Enjoy a fish and chip supper at a cost of £6.50 each.
Teams of 4 - if you are interested then telephone the Arden Hall Office on 0121 747 7150 to enter your team and purchase tickets In aid of the Chairman's Charity Fund, the proceeds of which are distributed annually to groups within the local community.
BOOKKEEPER - Council Office
Fixed term Contract - 12 months
Required to work for up to 7 hours per week based in the Parish Council Offices at Arden Hall, starting as soon as possible. You will need excellent mathematical skills and a methodical approach to work. Proven financial experience is essential, with a knowledge of Parish/Town Council roles or local government being desirable. Duties will be varied but initially including financial scrutiny of invoices, processing of transactions and reconciliation of computer and manual records. Flexibility is essential as duties will be varied. Local Government pay rates apply - spinal column point range 12-21 dependent on qualifications (hourly equivalent £7.817-£9.941)
Letter of application, indicating your present salary and enclosing your CV, should be sent to:
Mrs. Cathy Tibbles, Clerk to the Council by 4 pm on Thursday 16th September.
CLEANER - ARDEN HALL
Fixed term Contract - 6 months
Required for approx. 6 hours per week, by rota, but including weekends and occasional evenings. Physically demanding work involving use of machinery, moving furniture and cleaning function rooms. Previous experience and flexibility for hours essential, between 8 am and 9 pm. Uniform and full training will be given. To start as soon as possible.
Pay: £5.81 per hour
For further information and application form please call:
Duty Manager, 0121-747 7150
(Between 10.30am - 12 noon or 6.30 - 7.30 pm)
Closing Date: 4 pm Thursday 16th September 2010
Castle Bromwich Parish Council Civic Service
Castle Bromwich Parish Council held their Civic Service on Sunday 13th June in the Parish Church of St Mary & St Margaret, Castle Bromwich. This annual event was attended by the Chair of the Council, Councillor Mrs Pauline Allen, with Members and Officers of the Parish Council, together with the Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull, representatives of Firs British Legion Branch and other Local Organisations, including Caroline Spelman MP.
The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. Gavin Douglas, who during the service also carried out the Dedication of the New Standard of The Firs Branch of the Royal British Legion watched by members of the congregation.
After the service the whole congregation was invited to attend a Reception at Arden Hall and to enjoy a hot and cold buffet prepared by the Manager and her staff. This was well received by all, especially as umbrellas were the "order of the day" on leaving the service.
Those attending the Reception were able to see and enjoy the results of the work that had taken place recently to refurbish the Spencer Lounge and Bar. The Parish Council are committed in making sure that Arden Hall is a place that both local residents and those further afield can continue to enjoy with further work planned in the future.
If anyone is interested in knowing more please give us a ring........ Contact the Hall Manager, Mrs. Tina Kite, on 0121 747 7150 regarding function rooms or the Clerk to the Council, Mrs. Cathy Tibbles, on 0121 747 6503 for details about the Parish Council.
OFFICIAL OPENING - SATURDAY 10TH JULY
The official "opening" of the new Play Equipment installed in Castle Bromwich Parish Council Playing Field took place on Saturday 10th July. The Parish Council and the Youth Parish Council have worked closely with Solihull MBC throughout this project. An investment of £25,000 has been spent on new equipment, courtesy of the Playbuilder Funding Programme from central government. New facilities installed by Sutcliffe Play include a basket swing, 2 junior swings, an end goalmouth/basketball hoop, mini-trampoline and balance beam. 2 outdoor musical instruments have also been provided to extend the play opportunities.
The Opening was performed by members of Park Hall Trampoline Team who are the current West Midlands Elite U15 Trampoline Champions. The girls are one of the current sporting stars from Park Hall Academy, the local secondary school within the parish. Supporting the opening was Councillor Mrs. Pauline Allen, Chairman of the Parish Council accompanied by members of the Youth Parish Council and the Parish Council. Grateful thanks go to Emma Sibbing (Horticultural Officer, Community Services of Solihull MBC), for her co-ordination of the project.
After the opening, refreshments were provided in the Spencer Lounge Bar (recently refurbished) of Arden Hall. For further information on the organisations involved you are welcome to use the links below.
- www.castlebromwichpc.gov.uk/parishCouncil/index.html (see Parish Council information and facilities)
- www.solihull.gov.uk/parks/playfacilities.htm (see Playbuilder funding)
- www.parkhallschool.org.uk/Sports_Reports/sports_index.html
NOTICE OF CASUAL VACANCY PARISH COUNCILLOR - TIMBERLEY WARD
There is a vacancy for a parish councillor on the above Council, caused by the resignation of Cllr Mrs. T Knibb to represent the Timberley Ward.
If, by Thursday 1st July 2010, ten electors for the Ward give notice in writing claiming a bye-election to the Returning Officer, then such an election to fill this vacancy will be held.
The Returning Officer is Mr Mark Rogers, Chief Executive, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, The Council House, P O Box 18, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3QS.
If no such notice is given the Parish Council may fill the vacancy by co-option. Persons interested in becoming a Parish Councillor should contact the Council Office for further information.
CHAIRMAN PRESENTS CHARITY CHEQUES TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
Following another successful year of well-supported and different fundraising events, the Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor John Riordan, presented cheques to 23 different local organisations.
The proceeds of the Chairman's Charity Fund are distributed annually in May according to the preferences of the retiring Chairman. This took place at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners on Tuesday, 4th May 2010 at 7.45 pm in the Spencer Suite at Arden Hall. The organisations receiving a donation from the Chairman's Charity Fund this year were :-
- 5th Castle Bromwich Brownies
- Age Concern, Friday Club
- Age Concern, Monday Club
- Castle Bromwich Boys Brigade
- Castle Bromwich Cub Scouts
- Castle Bromwich Friends of Acorns
- Castle Bromwich Girl Guides Association
- Castle Bromwich Girls Brigade
- Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens Trust
- Castle Bromwich Infants School
- Castle Bromwich Junior School
- Castle Bromwich Scouts
- Castle Bromwich Youth and Community Centre
- Castle Bromwich Youth Parish Council
- Friends in Retirement
- Park Hall Academy
- St Mary and St Margarets School
- St Clements PCC
- Castle Bromwich Ladies Club
- Castle Bromwich Cricket & Sports Club
- Castle Bromwich Singers
- Castle Bromwich Theatre Group
- Chelmsley Wood Citizens Advice Bureau
After the cheques were presented a group photograph was taken. The total amount presented was a staggering £2,300.00.
Condolences
Castle Bromwich Parish Council wish to express it's regret at the sudden death of Ernie Woodhouse. Mr Woodhouse had been a regular attendee at parish council meetings and events for many years and was always prepared to offer his views as a long standing resident who proudly cared for his neighbours in Castle Bromwich and the wider community of Solihull. The Parish Council wish to pay tribute to Mr Woodhouse in memory of his contribution in helping to make Castle Bromwich the type of community that cares for others and a place in which people wish to live. He will be sadly missed by all members of Castle Bromwich Parish Council and staff of the Council Office.
PRESENTATION OF AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
At the Parish Council Meeting on 27th January 2010, Cllr John Riordan, Chairman of Castle Bromwich Parish Council, presented Jonathan Adams, Park Hall Academy, with the Parish Council's Award for Service to the Community together with a gift voucher. Jonathan is pictured receiving the award with his parents.
The Parish Council had been particularly impressed with Jonathan's community work. He had worked with architects to help design the new Academy, helped the school arrange the successful Garden and Christmas parties, worked with the School Council on travel plans, given presentations to governors and helped to interview staff, including the current Principal. Since his work experience placement at Heartlands Hospital the previous year, Jonathan has become a voluntary helper at the Hospital every Sunday afternoon.
Mr Horace Benson, S.Q.M.S. a World War II Veteran delivers a presentation on Team Leadership in the Uniformed Public Services
On Monday 25th January the BTEC National Public Services Sixth Form students, Mr Smith and Mrs O'Keefe were treated to a session at Arden Hall with Horace Benson, a World War II veteran. The session was arranged by The Castle Bromwich Parish Council and Councillor Mrs Pauline Allen was in attendance to support Mr Benson and the students, it proved to be a wonderful experience for all involved.
The Park Hall Academy students are looking at "Team Leadership in the Uniform Public Services" and clearly enjoyed listening to Mr Benson's accounts about life in the forces in the 1940s and the Dunkirk Landings. The Sixth Form students asked Mr Benson numerous questions about his memories and experiences and then a female student asked Horrace if he would teach them how to march. Mr Benson readily obliged and spent an hour putting the students through their paces. Mr Benson had a lovely manner when working with the students and when the session came to an end everyone showed their appreciation in the usual way. We were especially proud to see every student came over and shook Mr Benson's hand. Mr Benson said that the students clearly enjoyed the session as much as he did and that they were a real credit to their generation, praise indeed from a man whose generation "gave their tomorrows for our today".
Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service
An extract appears below of the letter of thanks from the Chairman of the Parish Council following the open-air Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service at the Village Green in Castle Bromwich. Over 700 people attended this poignant event, including a growing number of young people, Youth Parish Councillors and representatives of local schools.
"On behalf of the Firs Branch of the Royal British Legion, Members of Castle Bromwich Parish Council and Parishioners, may I thank you most sincerely for your kind contribution to this annual occasion.
The service was most dignified and the public who attended were clearly moved by the service. There has been much praise and appreciation for the service that was provided. It is gratifying to see attendance still growing and community support clearly established for such a poignant event.
The Clerk to the Council is particularly grateful for all of the help she received with the increasing arrangements that are required - both before Remembrance Day itself and also behind the scenes to enable the march, the service and the road closures to safely take place. As recorded in the 550 service sheets distributed, I express my thanks to:
to all voluntary safety marshals;
to Highway Traffic Management Ltd for again supplying road barriers and signage completely free of charge;
to Mr C Beebee for public address system support;
Castle Bromwich Singers for providing choir and organist;
to West Midlands Police and Safety Advisory Group;
helpers who prepared the refreshments, residents and motorists who showed patience during road closures and to those people who helped plan and prepare for this service.
Many thanks yet again and I hope you feel able to join us again next year to help - Sunday 14th November 2010 is ready to go in our diary.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor John Riordan
Chairman of the Parish Council
You may be interested to see photos that the local police team have taken and displayed of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Village Green, which I know Sgt. Paul O'Reilly is happy share via this link.
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING RAISES £664.06
The Parish Council is delighted to announce that their first Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 25th September, raised a staggering £664.06
Grateful thanks to all local businesses, groups and friends for their generosity, kind donations and support for this event, including those below.
Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to visit stalls, find out about events and shows at Arden Hall, buy their cakes, choose Macmillan goods, watch line dancing, or wait for the marvelous raffle to be drawn.
Donations received from:
- Morrisons
- Tescos
- Redcroft Building Supplies
- Parkfield Building Services
- Pete the Butcher
- Woolpack
- K.F.C
- Alex Smith Estate Agents
- Discovery Cabling Solutions Ltd
- Castle Convenience
- The Local
- The Black Country Living Museum
- S.P Fisher
- Halfords
- RTP
- Halls Garden Supplies
- Castle Bromwich Parish Council
- Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens
- Walsh Chiropody & Podiatry
- Colas Fish and Chip bar
- George Rigby
- Natalie Szrejder
- Kirsty Szrejder
- Debbie Szrejder
- Pauline Allen
- Frances Nicholas
- Jackie Blackburn
- Chris Beebee
- Carol Haycock
- Martin Lance
- Cathy Tibbles
- Derrick Bache
- Mr & Mrs Cook
5th Castle Bromwich Brownies
5th Castle Bromwich Brownies having been working on their garden in the Garden of Memory throughout the summer and on Saturday 24th October 2009 planted two rose bushes in memory of a former Brown Owl. They also planted spring bulbs which were given as part of the Solihull Youth and Community Scheme for "plant a bulb" day. Rain didn't stop play and everyone enjoyed the morning.
Our thanks go to the Parish Council for allowing the Brownies to have a section of the Garden of Memory for our Community Project and to remember a very popular Brown Owl, which hopefully can be enjoyed by all.
All Brownies will continue to be involved and look forward to the Spring when this garden should be ablaze with colour.
5th Castle Bromwich Brownies meet every Monday in term time from 6 pm - 7.30 pm in the Pavilion at Arden Hall. Should your daughter be interested in joining Brownies, then contact Arden Hall who will pass on your details.