Bluebell Walk – 14 May 2023
The second guided walk by Ranger Penny Marriott in four days. This time, a party of 18 viewed one of the Parks most popular attractions. Accompanied by birdsong, she pointed out many features as we travelled touching on the tree felling, the planting of thousands of saplings to balance the books, the resurgence of depleted heathland, the wildflowers starting to peek out and demonstrating the tasty wood sorall. The latter out of earshot of the youngsters in the party. (Good with cheese apparently but only in small amounts.)
Returning from the leisurely two hour amble, Penny showed us bees pretending to be wasps from their small sandy-soil burrows on the bank metres from the Visitor Centre patio.
Barnt Green Sailing Club Open Day – 13 May 2023
With the very changeable weather, the organisers of this year’s event were relieved when blue skies welcomed its visitors. A heavenly haven now celebrating well over 100 years since being established, the cathartic sound of lapping waters, a gentle breeze and losing yourself on this expanse of water is just what the doctor ordered yet a mere 10 miles from the City.
Two young members gave an impromptu demonstration of how to right a sailing boat. A confident 8-year-old Martha Dyer showed her paddling skills as did Anila and Kaitlyn both 14-years-old in their sailing boat. Young Frankie Leach brought along his grandad Gary as they considered joining the fishing group with another Gary, the Fisheries Officer, showed them one of the rods used.
Beacon Hill event – 8 May 2023
Intended to celebrate the Coronation, alas the weather thwarted Cllr. Simon Morrall’s (Frankley Ward) eleventh-hour initiative for entertainment and the opportunity to sign a commemorative book commemorative. Around 40 people made the journey with the ancipated bagpiper and singer unfortunately unable to attend
PC & Church Tea Party/Tree Planting – 8 May 2023
The Lickey & Blackwell PC and the local church held a joint ‘Coronation Street Tea Party’ inviting residents to The Wheel, Blackwell. This included planting an apple tree to commemorate the coronation. An incredible amount of baking had taken place as visitors vied for a tasty slice of cake and lovely cuppa. Plus a little bit of daftness from Angus Watson flashing his calf!
The Big Help Out – 8 May 2023
Part of the national event, rangers led another session on Rednal Hill collecting debris discarded by visitors. Ranger Penny Marriott welcomed the 30-strong volunteers who had braved the inclement elements. The weather greatly improved once work was underway with magnificently muted views seen across the golf course below to the hill opposite. Finds included a small metal spoon and a 1937 two and sixpence coin discovered by Baden Carlson/TLHS member, which he has donated to the Visitor Centre display cabinets.
The Lickey Community Group AGM – 24 April 2023
An enjoyable evening at the Trinity Centre started with refreshments before moving on to the agenda. Discussed were the Marlbrook Tip, inconsiderate parking, local development and other matters. To conclude, Steve Hinton, Head of Ranger Services, gave an entertaining talk on Country Park entitled ‘Icky on the Lickey’s’.
Commemorative Trees – 5 April 2023
The Lickey Hills Society have planted two new fruit trees in the Community Orchard ahead of the coronation. Led by Ranger Penny Marriott, the apple trees are to celebrate the coming royal event – one a ‘May Queen’ and the second a ‘King Charles Pearmian’.
BBQ Fire – 5 April 2023
Alas, vandals have been spoiling our beautiful park once again. Despite the devastating fire last summer, individuals sneaked into the Park after dark and lit four disposable BBQs on one of the new picnic benches on the Visitor Centre patio. All that remained were ash, the four metal grills and smoking tarmac for the Rangers to clear up!
Please let the Rangers have any information about the incident.
Skywatch – 31 March 2023
A welcome return since Covid, the Visitor Centre hosted the well attended Birmingham Astronomical Society’s open evening. Members displayed telescopes allowing a glimpse of the moon between scudding clouds. Three talks were held in the School Room and an open competition was won by young Patrick Blunt from Kings Heath.
Country Park Litterpick – 25 March 2023
The first of this year’s two litter picks had volunteers meeting at the Visitor Centre under blue skies. Organised by The Lickey Hills Society, they were pleased to continue supporting the ongoing issue of carelessly discarded rubbish.
Mothers Day Concert – 19 March 2023
The Redditch Orchestra entertained families on a bright Sunday afternoon with popular classical music. The concert, held at the new Cofton Village Hall, started with oodles of cake to the sound of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and concluded with Johann Strauss’s ‘Redetzky March’ with accompanying clapping putting André Rieu to shame!
Alvechurch Wassail – 4 February 2023
Organised by the local Morris Dancers ‘Aelfgythe’, the road at the Crown Inn on Withybed Lane hosted a lively beginning to this years Wassail. As darkness fell, guest groups, musicians and musketeers mingled with the growing crowd. Torch bearers led the way to The Weighbridge on the other side of the village with calls of “Wassail” by the Green Man had replies of “drink hael”.
The Alvechurch Choir entertained and the Green Man invited people to dress a tree with toast on its branches – a traditional way to attract friendly spirits.
A line of musketeers primed their long guns with muzzle-loaded powder filling the air with smoke and smells reminiscence of firework night as they briefly lit-up the night sky.
Alvechurch Mummers & Morris – 1 January 2023
A great start to the new year as the usual faces give their all. Whether dressing-up and telling an hilariously animated story or applying make-up and bells as Morris Dancers. Held at The Crown in Withybed Lane and later at the Alvechurch Marina!
Wassail – 14 January 2023
A record turnout for this very popular annual event held in the Community Orchard of 260 revellers. The King Bean and Queen Pea were crowned, a hullabaloo of noise to scare off the bad spirits, warm infused apple juice and a Mummer Play with evil overlords unjustly treating the common folk.