Do you have memories of the village that you’d like to leave for future generations? If so, the members of the Birlingham Memories Project team would like to hear from you.

In this issue:
  1. Changes in Services at St James’ Church
  2. Parish Council Report
  3. Birlingham Memories Project
  4. Broadband Update
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1. Changes in Services at St James’ Church

Revd Claire Lording writes:
From October there will be two services a month at St James’. These will be:

   1st Sunday of the month: 10.30am Morning Praise
   3rd Sunday of the month: 10.30am Holy Communion

We will review this after six months and see if this pattern of services is working. In addition to these service there will be occasional special services, including Bulb Sunday and a Pet Service. Watch this space and the noticeboards for more info.

Everyone is always welcome to join our services! Thank you, Claire

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2. Parish Council Report

Ian Yates writes:
The Parish Council meeting was held at 7.00pm on 17th July.

  • New Homes Bonus (NHB). We are pleased to report that the three proposals put forward by the Parish Council to Wychavon District Council for the remaining £1372 of NHB have been approved. These proposals are for the repositioning and refurbishment of the Millennium Bench, the addition of a missing inscription on the war memorial and printing of a WW2 commemorative booklet.
  • Birlingham Memories Project. The Parish Council agreed at the meeting to provide £250 of funding to the Jubilee Committee from the Parish Council’s Community Fund. The Bystander Editorial Team and the Jubilee Committee are providing £848 and in addition have already been awarded a grant of £800 from Wychavon District Council so the £250 from the Community Fund completes all the funding that is required for the Birlingham Memories Project. The intention is to capture the memories of our older residents (and people who used to live in the village), either in sound or on video, so that these memories are available for future generations. The Jubilee Committee will purchase recording equipment for capturing the memories, and playback and display equipment for use at an exhibition.
  • Wychavon Community Legacy Grant – YOUR IDEAS NEEDED. This scheme, launched in 2018, replaces the previous New Homes Bonus Scheme by creating a Wychavon wide fund (rather than one specifically to Birlingham as before). For every new home built and occupied in Wychavon and every long-term empty home brought back into use, the government gives a non-ring fenced New Homes Bonus grant. It is a £3m fund available over 3 years open to any organisation (such as a Parish Council), charity or club that serves their local community within Wychavon. Proposals should be for tangible assets rather than day to day running costs although major repair items may be considered. Individual grants will range from £10,000 to £100,000. The Parish Council has been discussing this grant to see if there are viable schemes that would benefit our village. We would therefore like to receive ideas from Birlingham residents that could be developed into a proposal for a project that would benefit our community. Guidelines and details of the scheme rules are available from birlingham_clerk@yahoo.co.uk.
  • Flooding at Berwick Lane. The problem of water leaking from the bank at the side of Berwick Lane is still on-going. The Parish Council have now been in contact with the Highways Authority and they have agreed to meet with us on-site within 30 days to investigate the problem as during their previous visit they were unable to find the leak.
  • Completion of link at Pershore Keytec Business Park. District Councillor Ron Davis attended our meeting and announced that funding had finally been approved for the link road between the island at the end of the A44 Wyre Piddle bypass and the Wyre road island by Keytec Business Park. This link requires a bridge to be built over the railway line but when completed will ease traffic on Station Road at Pinvin Cross Roads and reduce traffic on the B4083 using the cut through Wyre Piddle. He hoped work would be completed in approximately six months.
Full minutes of the Parish Council meeting will be posted on the village website shortly.

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3. Birlingham Memories Project

Steve Morris writes:
The Birlingham Memories Project is now under way. Those keen to take part in the project have met twice in recent weeks and the first interviews will be happening shortly. It is very exciting to see the enthusiasm of this band of volunteers.

The Jubilee Committee are extremely grateful to Wychavon District Council and Birlingham Parish Council for their financial support. This will enable us to buy suitable recording equipment, as well as exhibition equipment, which will also be available for use by other village organisations.

Although in the first instance we are concentrating on memories of the war years, we are keen to hear the reminiscences of anyone who lives – or has lived – in the village, regardless of how long they have spent in the village or what period the memories cover.

We hope to organise our first event in the autumn but in the meantime if you would like to be involved, have memories to share or know someone who does, please contact us at memories@birlingham.org or phone 07801 368953.

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4. Broadband Update

At a recent parish and town councils event, officers from Worcestershire County Council gave an update on plans for extending superfast broadband, 4G and 5G. A summary of their responses to questions can be found at www.birlingham.org/docs/broadband_update_june_2019.pdf.

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