spring view 2011

Issu

e 1

Sprin

g 20

11Tel: 0121 472 3831 Email: [email protected] Web: bvt.org.uk

Debrah takesextra care

1

We know...what you’re thinking...

Page 7

Eco View

Page 13

Resident Project Funding is a pot of money given each year by BVT to fund projects that benefit local people.See Page 3 for more...

Bournville Village Trust – a community with many views

In this issue...

Home Finance Page 4

Maintenance Runners-up Page 5

Gardening Competition Page 8

Three Pears Page 11

Get Active Page 12

A very warm welcome to your new InView!

Now part of the BVT ‘family’, we wish a very warm welcome to all 314 tenants of Bournville Works Housing Society (BWHS).

Dating from the 1920s, their homes are in the Hay Green Lane, Woodlands Park and Mulberry Road area of Bournville and, until recently, BWHS had been a separate mutual housing co-operative, fully owned by its tenants.

At a Special General Meeting, in December, BWHS tenants voted almost unanimously in favour of joining the BVT Group. The Trust’s regulator, the Tenant Services Authority, gave the ‘green light’ for the changes to take effect and, as of 4 January 2011, BWHS became a subsidiary of BVT.

Tenant committees will deal with tenancies, repairs and maintenance and manage financial matters, on a day-to-day basis. A separate management board will run BWHS. The Chairman of BWHS, Mr Sam Chatterley has been co-opted onto the BVT’s Housing Services Committee.

For many years, Bournville Propertycare Services have carried out repairs to BWHS houses. For BWHS tenants, those close connections with BVT staff will continue.

The BWHS houses were built on land leased from the Trust, so it is fitting that BWHS is now part of the BVT Group. BVT Trustees are already working closely with the BWHS Board to ensure its tenants receive a top-class service.

InView is circulated Trust-wide - around Bournville, Bordesley, Redditch and Telford - and we want it to reflect the views of all BVT residents.

Whether you read the printed version or catch up on line, we’d love to hear what you think about your new magazine, and what you would like to see in it.

So if you’ve a view, some news, or a story, please, get in touch on 0121-415 6404, or leave us a message at bvt.org.uk - and we’ll get back to you!

In future, via our colourful magazine, we want to engage with our readers in a variety of new and different ways.

To help us do this, InView stories will often include BVT web addresses, where you will be able to get more information or download BVT forms or leaflets.

And InView items will refer you to our new website – at

bvt.org.uk - to catch up on our latest news, the on-line InView will have extra pages and more stories for

you to enjoy.

Also, we are developing the ‘OpenView’ microsite to enable

residents to get involved with our Housing, Repairs and Maintenance,

Neighbourhood and Communities and Resident Involvement Panels, and the Shropshire Partnership Group.

You will be able to click any one of those links and you’ll find details and reports of each respective committee’s work, and be able to leave targeted comments and suggestions.

This will enable you to be involved and have your say– at any time, without joining committees, or going along to meetings!

We’re doing this to create a more interactive experience for all our residents, and to enable you to be much more part of things.

Put simply, from now on, when you hear from us… we can hear from you – and respond online.

Welcome Home BWHs

02 InView Spring 2011

How would you spend

Resident Project Funding (RPF) is a pot of money given each year by BVT to fund projects in Birmingham and Shropshire that benefit local people. Now YOU have the chance to not only give us your ideas - but to vote them through to becoming community projects in your area.

RPF is administered by the Trust’s Resident Involvement Panel, which ensures all ideas, or bids, meet the fund criteria, before passing them on to be voted on by you.

Last year, four projects were successfully funded:

• Shopping trips for senior citizens and older residents

• A new handy-person scheme

• New football kit for a local children’s football team

• A community garden at one of our sheltered housing schemes

This year the Trust would like residents to vote on the projects via its new website – at bvt.org.uk - or at our local offices and community halls.

BVT must receive entries for the first round of voting by 30 June 2011.

Successful first round bids will then go through to a ‘live’ second round vote, at this year’s ‘OpenView’ event, which will take place at Rowheath Pavilion on 10 September. The winning projects will receive their funding pledge at the

close of play on that day.

We look very much forward to hearing from you and receiving your ideas!

In the meantime, if you wish to discuss your ideas, or the

RPF scheme, you can contact Anne Walker 0121-415 6518 or email [email protected]

One of BVT’s Resident Involvement Officers, Anne Walker, told InView

If a resident has an idea for a project they think

will benefit the community, get in touch and we’ll send them an application form. We will need all applications by the end of June!

In response to resident feedback, BVT’s Community Team has appointed its very own ‘Handy Andy’.

Roy Smith, who currently does much of the Trust’s equipment and adaptations work, is now the BVT-approved ‘handy-person’. He will undertake jobs such as changing curtains or light bulbs, fixing shelves or doors and putting together flat-pack furniture.

Initially targeted at the Trust’s older residents with a disability, the ‘Handy Andy’ scheme will be ‘pay as you go’, with jobs individually priced. Residents in receipt of means-tested benefits will be able to claim a refund of £5 to £10 per job, via a grant obtained from Resident Project Funding.

Roy’s ‘handy-person’ leaflets are available from BVT Area Offices, community halls and via our website. For further details, or to book Roy for a job, please contact Marie Docker on 0121-415 6491 or email [email protected]

Roy’s your ‘Handy Andy’!

Trust ‘Handy Andy’, Roy Smith – to book him, call 0121-415 6491.

BVT’s Community Team has launched a photographic competition and are looking for pictures that capture the essence of the modern Bournville, as well as historical photos showing the Estate’s development!

Competition categories are:

• Best picture of Shenley, Weoley Hill, Bloomsbury, Redditch, Bournville & Bordesley (adults & children)

• Best wildlife picture of the estate (adults & children)

• Best building picture (adults & children)

• Best view of the estate (adults & children)

• Best historical pictures of the estate (adults)

Winners will receive gift vouchers and we aim to display the best pictures at a prize-giving event later in the year. The best 12 pictures will also feature in our new 2012 calendar!

For further information please call BVT’s Community Department on 0121-415 6491 or submit your entries by 1 August 2011, where possible electronically, to [email protected]

Snap Happy? Make A Date!

InView Spring 2011 03

Remembering Brum’s First Fly-PastAeroplane flights nowadays are commonplace, but 100 years ago, to see a plane, was a sensation!

It was on 17 December 1903 that Orville Wright made the first sustained flight. After this, great strides were made to improve flying machines and, in many cases, prizes were offered in National newspapers.

Although the public was enthusiastic, flight was very much seen as a rich man’s sport. Two world wars were to change all that!

17 April 2011 marks the centenary of the first aeroplane flight over Birmingham. It caused much excitement, when 25,000 people stood on the Men’s Recreation Ground, in Linden Road, to see Claude Graham Wright fly between Cadbury’s chimneys, and land.

Holding flying licence number six, Claude, who was one of Britain’s earliest flying pioneers, took off from his own airfield in Hendon, London. His flight, a distance of some 110 miles, took more than 12 hours.

My Home Finance, an innovative financial service to help those on a low income into the financial mainstream, has opened up a shop in Northfield.

Backed by RBS and the National Housing Federation, it offers affordable loans to customers unable to obtain credit through the usual channels - and an alternative to doorstep lending, where interest rates are often in excess of 300%.

Local MP, Richard Burden, who officially opened the Northfield branch, added: “Housing Associations understand that estates only work if they have communities. Those communities only thrive if their people are able to manage budgets and provide for their families”.

Loans of up to £500 are available to customers at rates of 29%, a far cry from the outrageous rates charged by the region’s loan sharks. My Home Finance also offers financial guidance on managing money and household budgeting.

Andy Sparham, RBS Area Director, Branch Business Banking, added: “We are pleased to support My Home Finance, which will help customers and communities. Our involvement reflects RBS’s commitment to recognising and promoting financial inclusion.”

For more information visit the BVT website at www.bvt.org.uk - or contact your local branch of My Home Finance at:

Northfield Branch 777 Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham B31 2NQ Tel: 0121-476 4996

Birmingham Central Branch S15B Martineau Place, Birmingham B2 4UW Tel: 0121-212 9568

Erdington Branch Unit 23, Central Square Shopping Centre, Erdington B23 6RY Tel: 0121-382 6880

Wolverhampton Branch 48 Victoria Street Wolverhampton WV1 3PJ Tel: 01902 711 471

My Home Finance is a real solution

for residents who struggle to get mainstream credit, and should go a long way to preventing doorstep lenders profiteering from people’s misfortune,

Paul Haywood, BVT’s Director of Financial Services, told InView.

Home finance made easy

Itisam Akhtar, Maria Gold, Richard Burden, Glenn Coley, Gurdip Kaur and Jude Otutu.


BVT has conducted the first ever Trust-wide Resident Census in its 100-year history. Its purpose is to discover who BVT residents are, so that the Trust can more effectively tailor future services.

As well as requesting information about household occupancy, age, gender and economic status, the Census, conducted throughout 2009/10, also asked questions about diversity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and communication needs.

Taking account of ethnicity, for example, will help BVT decide which languages to use in their publications. Considering information gleaned from blind or residents with disabilities will help the Trust decide who needs communications in large print or Braille, and where to make accessibility improvements.

From now on, whenever you contact BVT, Trust officers will be able to retrieve your details and know immediately not only who you are, but what special requirements you may have.

Becci added; “Unexpectedly we found that over 1000 households are willing to receive communications – such as InView – via email. By offering information online instead of in print, we could save a considerable amount of money!” The Census also established

that one in three of the phone numbers held in BVT’s resident database was out of date - so please, if your circumstances change, please contact 0121 415 6524.

Your answers to our questions will help us to individually tailor a more responsive and appropriate service and, for that, we thank you most sincerely.

Results make perfect census!

In the last edition of Outlook we ran an article about the 2010 Bournville Festival.

Margaret Wright has written to the Trust to point out that, by omitting to mention that Bournville Village Council ran this annual event, the item implied that Bournville Village Trust had done so.

Bournville Festival is organised and run each year by Bournville Village Council and NOT Bournville Village Trust and, we’re sorry for not making that clear.

The story was intended to publicise the work of the Trust’s Community Team and volunteers, who ran a range of events at the Festival. It was certainly not meant to imply that BVT ran the Festival.

The work Bournville Village Council undertakes is very much appreciated by residents and the Trust, and we would certainly not wish to detract from that in any way.

This year’s Bournville Festival will take place on Saturday 25 June 2011.

Maintenance Team voted ‘best client’ runner-up

Bournville Maintenance Services were recently voted runner-up in the National Housing Maintenance Forum Awards’ ‘Best Client’ category, at Stratford’s Holiday Inn.

They were short-listed for the award – which was for ‘the client organisation best at meeting residents’ needs in the provision of a maintenance service’ - at the end of 2010. They faced stiff competition from Harvest Housing and Plus Dane Group, who took the ‘Best Client’ trophy.

Made up of NHMF members, the judging panel were impressed with Maintenance Services’s approach, and made particular reference to resident communication and BVT’s innovative eco home.

Commenting on the award, BVT Chief Executive, Peter Roach, said: “Our Maintenance Team do a fantastic job engaging with our tenants - their work is often pioneering, and winning this is just reward!”

Our Census results have now

been published and presented

to Trustees, committees and resident

groups – and we have input all of the

contact details provided onto our

Contact Management database,

Becci Youlden, Head of BVT’s Business

Improvement Unit, told InView.

Bournville Festival

Pictured left to right: Bob Stanton, Andrew Brown, Wendy Challinton, Steve Fellows and Andrew Griffiths


Sent in by a relative of a former Rowheath resident, these photographs show one of the fashion shows once upon a time held at Dame Elizabeth Hall, Bournville.

Were YOU a model? Do you recognise anyone who was? Or, do you know when the shows took place? If so, please write and tell us, and we will feature your story in a future InView.

In 2010, BVT’s Tenant Project Funding Panel awarded cash to enable community members to receive free basic computer skills training. The funding also covered the cost of broadband installation.

Computer skills courses are offered at Shenley Court Hall and the Oak Tree Centre, Lightmoor but to enable them to continue as a free service, BVT urgently needs more volunteer tutors. . Kath Hughes RIO Telford advises that The Oak Tree Centre in Lightmoor has UK Online Status which enables free computer courses and taster sessions to be held in the community IT Suite. UK Online status is part of the Digital Inclusion Strategy for Lightmoor Village. Our delivery partner for IT is TCAT , Telford College Of Arts and Technology. Please see us at www.oaktreecentre.org.uk and join our face book link.

To book your place on one of BVT’s Computer Skills Training courses, please contact BVT Community Dept. on 0121-415 6491 - or via email at [email protected]

Since the courses began, a personal computer has been set up in reception at the Bournville Area Office at 27 Sycamore Road. A free facility for members of the public, the PC is online and can be used to access the internet, send and receive emails, and visit the BVT website to view rent account information, request repairs, make payments and See My Data.

Please use this PC to:

• Access‘SeeMyData’&lookatyourbalance/account details, pay your rent, ground rent, management charge, garage or other sundry charges online

• Findoutaboutfuturecommunityevents in your area

• Reportnonurgentrepairsonline

• Getinvolvedandhaveyoursay–register your interest online

• RegisterwithHomeswapper

If YOU need assistance to use this PC please ask a member of staff at reception.

Were you inVogue?

The world wide web’s your oyster


BVT’s Local Standards - established as a result of the estate-wide ‘OpenView’ programme - have now been published on the BVT website.

Designed to enable the Trust to engage with residents and get their feedback on all its services, informal ‘OpenView’ events were held in Bournville and Telford, in the autumn of 2010.

The events offered all residents the opportunity to meet with Trust officers and have their say - and over 500 people came along!

“We had a fantastic response; lots of folk came to give us their views about what we do and how we do it,” Becci Youlden, Head of Business Improvement, told InView.

The ‘OpenView’ events enabled the Trust to engage with residents in an entirely new and fun way and featured a host of stalls and even a “graffiti” wall, on which visitors could post comments.

BVT listened, and we have now laid down the future Local Standards our residents can expect.

Some of the key standards that have been put in place as a direct result of the ‘OpenView’ consultations are as follows:

YOU wanted US to:

• Acknowledgereceiptofyourletters, email and voicemail messageswithintwoworkingdays

• Indicatewhetheranyimprovementworkisplannedforyourpropertywithinasixyearperiod

• Apologisewhenwegetsomethingwrong

•Arrivepunctuallyforappointments,orpayyoucompensationifwe miss one

•Completerepairwork,wherepossible, on our first visit

•Leaveyourhometidyandfree of rubbish at the end of each workingday

•Avoidtheuseofstandardisedresponses

Here are some key things we are asking our residents for help with, to enable us

to operate ‘to standard’.

We want YOU to:

• Provideuswithinformationaboutanyspecificneedsthoseinyourhouseholdmayhave

• Betolerantofyourneighboursandawaretheirlifestylesmaydifferfromyourown

• Beresponsibleforthebehaviourofyourchildren,visitorsandpets

• Keepyourhouseinareasonablestate of cleanliness and decoration, andyourgardentidy

• Keepappointments,andnotifyusofanychangeincircumstancesassoon as possible

Since the original ‘OpenView’ events, a new microsite, accessed via BVT’s main website, has been set up.

Already popular, eventually the microsite will enable all residents to enjoy a two-way dialogue with the Trust, by having any comments and suggestions they leave, promptly addressed.

Becci added; “‘OpenView’ enables residents to tell us their priorities. With their help we can offer services important to them, in ways they find acceptable. The new microsite will go a long way to helping us do just that!”

The next ‘OpenView’ event will beheldatRowheathPavilionon10 September. To see BVT’s Local Standards in full, please visit ‘OpenView’ via the BVT website at bvt.org.uk

The standards are a mixture of existing and new ways of

working which focus on what residents feel important. By setting out what we need from residents to help us deliver services ‘to standard’, we’re also keen to make Local Standards a partnership, said Becci.


Log-on re-tree managementBVT’s tree management policy applies to Trust-owned land as well as residents’ gardens and aims to preserve and enhance the quality of the Estate’s tree stock.

In spinneys, the Trust surveys its own trees and carries out essential work, managing them for the benefit of wildlife. For example, bird boxes have been installed.

Estate residents are normally responsible for carrying out work on any trees in their own gardens. You may need consent – particularly for major work such as felling or significant pruning – and if in doubt, you should refer to the Trust.

Tree surgery or felling is only normally permitted if trees are dead, dangerous or dying and the Trust would not normally allow trees to be removed solely to benefit an individual, if such work would adversely affect the community as a whole.

The Trust would not normally consider pollen, fallen leaves, fruits or seeds, droppings, impact on views, or poor TV reception to be good reasons for removing trees.

Work on trees affected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) would normally require the consent of the Local Authority as well as the Trust.

Should a resident be permitted to remove a tree, the Trust would expect a replacement to be planted. Advice on suitable replacements can be provided.

The Trust does not carry out any work on trees in the ownership of third parties, such as the Council, Local Highway Authority or other landowners.

A copy of BVT’s tree planting policy is available on request on 0121 415 6423, and more details can be found on the BVT website at bvt.org.uk

A Blooming Success

Over 100 residents attended BVT’s Annual Gardening Competition awards evening, at Dame Elizabeth Hall, in November. Joined by Trustees Roger Cadbury and Mary Penny, the awards were presented by competition judge, Stan Gardener.

Stan gave a talk on ‘good plants for your gardens’, and the prize giving was followed by a buffet, with a chance for residents to view pictures of competition entries and exchange ideas.

Once again, the standard of the entries was high and ranged from small pots to large gardens. 2010’s overall prize was jointly awarded to neighbours Mr. & Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Morris, of Pendennis Close.

Mr. Langford of Hay Green Lane, received a special award for opening his garden to raise funds for St. Mary’s Hospice. This is the first time the competition has joined forces with the Hospice and BVT hope to build on this in 2011.

The gardening competition is a key fixture of the Trust’s annual programme of events, bringing communities together as well as helping ensure our estates remain attractive places for people to live.


One of the most frequent questions our Tree Wardens are asked is ‘What tree should I plant in my garden?’ This enquiry is one that is likely to increase with residents looking to plant commemorative trees to mark this year’s Royal wedding or the Queen’s Jubilee in 2012.

You need to decide what you want from a tree; your main consideration might be for fruit, or interest at a specific time of year. Do you need an evergreen, or a tree that sheds its leaves in autumn? (Bear in mind that only those that lose their leaves will provide that special autumn colour) Do you like spring blossom, attractive leaves or possibly interesting bark? Some trees have a more upright habit, and others, wide spreading canopies.

Most BVT gardens require only small trees, and even an ornamental tree might reach a height of twenty feet or more - and be nothing but a nuisance!

In order to prevent root damage to building foundations do not plant any closer to a building than the eventual height of the tree. Also consider problems from the tree’s shadow across your garden or a neighbour’s.

Trees are a good thing for many reasons and are often used to mark special events. Further advice is available at any garden centre but it helps if you have some idea what you want from your tree.

The Royal Horticultural Society also has useful advice on selection, planting and aftercare of trees. To find out more, visit its website at

apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch

Garden tree planting: Your questions answered

Growing Bag Potatoes Perhaps the easiest ‘grow your own’ project, all you need is two potato growing bags, 40 litres of multipurpose compost and four or five seed potatoes – and in about 120 days, you will have organic home grown potatoes!

1. Place a 6” (150mm) layer of compost in the bottom of the bag, plant the seed potatoes about 2” deep (50mm) and keep the compost slightly damp.

2. As the shoots emerge continue to fill the bag with compost, keeping the foliage covered, until the compost is 1” (25mm) below the top.

3. Cover any shoots with fibre fleece if frost is forecast and remove when the risk has passed.

4. The main stems will continue to grow until foliage is 1-2ft (30-60cm) above the bag top.

5. After the plants have flowered and the foliage has started to die back, the potatoes will be ready to harvest. You can check the progress of your crop by looking in the opening section at the base.

And remember:

1. Before planting, ‘chit’ your potatoes by placing them on an egg tray, in a cool light position out of direct sunlight to encourage shoots. Be careful not to damage these when planting.

2. Plant your seed potatoes between February and April.

3. Keep the compost moist at all times and feed with a high potash/low nitrogen soluble plant food on a weekly basis, once the plants are established.

4. Potatoes will be ready between 16 and 20 weeks after planting. Use them as required or leave them to continue to grow, safely stored in the compost until required!

If you want a plentiful supply of fresh, homegrown vegetables, salad and herbs from your garden this year, Spring’s the time to get growing! Here are some hints and tips.

Gardener’s Delight Tomato Sow from January to early spring 1.5mm (1/16in) deep. Germination takes six-14 days at 24-27C (75-80F). When they are big enough to handle, transplant the seedlings into 9 cm (3in) pots and, when large enough, plant out into grow-bags at 45cm (18in) apart.

Rocket Sow March-September in good seed compost outdoors, in containers on the patio, or all year on a windowsill. Sow seeds thinly, 13mm (½in) deep in drills 37cm (15in) apart, in soil that has been raked to a fine tilth. When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 15cm (6in) apart. Rocket prefers well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Sow at regular intervals, for a fresh supply of leaves.

Basil Sow in early spring, under glass, on a windowsill, or in containers on the patio. Sow seeds thinly, 6mm deep, in trays filled with good compost. Pot up when large enough to handle or plant out into open ground in a sunny, sheltered position.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli Sow seeds mid to late spring, in a well-prepared seedbed, in drills 1cm (½in) deep and 30cm (12in) apart. When the seedlings have four or five leaves, transplant to their final quarters 75x75cm (30x30in) apart.

It’s time to get growing!


Overall Winner 2010: Mr. & Mrs. Powell & Mrs. Morris, Pendennis Close

Class I/Patio & Communal Areas: Weoley Hill Bowling Club

Class II/Flats: Mrs. Rajzowicz, Christopher Taylor Court

Class III/Houses & Bungalows (retired): Mr. & Mrs. Powell, Pendennis Close

Class IV/Houses and Bungalows (others): Mr. & Mrs. Rice, Woodbrooke Road

Class V/Disability: Mrs. Morris, Pendennis Close

New Tenants’ Gardens: Mr. & Mrs. Hulse, Cedar Road

Community Garden: Mr. Jenkins, Oxhill Close, Redditch

Vegetables: Mr. Breedon, Verbena Road

Bloomin’ Kids: Green Meadow School

The George Award (Front Garden): Mr. Peart, Green Meadow Road

The Gordon Cherry Award for Hanging Baskets: Mr. & Mrs. Beasley, Woodbrooke Road

Best BVT Allotment: Mr. & Mrs. Prior, Hay Green Allotments

Special Presentation for raising money for St. Mary’s Hospice: Mr. Langford, Hay Green Lane

Class VI/Last Year’s Winners: Mr. Cartwright, Coppice Close, Rubery

Overleaf is an entry form for our 2011 competition; once again, we hope as many of you keen gardeners as possible will take part!

2011 Entry RulesAny Trust resident with a garden, balcony garden or window box / external patio area (including external communal areas in flats) may enter. Households may enter as many classes as applicable. Both flowers and vegetables are judged on equal merit.

The garden may not be cultivated for the purpose of the competition by anybody other than the occupant or a relative residing in the house.

Professional gardeners who practice as nursery men, seedsmen or florists may not compete.

The previous years winners will be eligible for Class V.

The judges’ decision to be final.

All trophies to be held for twelve months and must be returned to the Bournville Area Office four weeks before the following year’s prize giving.

Closing Date: 24 June 2011Judging Dates: 18, 19, 20 July 2011Prize Giving: 17 October 2011Judge: Stan Gardener

2010 Winners

Further Details

Gardens are placed in several different classes with an Overall Champion – chosen from the winners of the Classes, taking into consideration best use of space, plants and materials, together with ingenuity.

CLASS I – Balcony / window box / patio including external communal areas in flats.

Class II – Flats with gardens.

Class III – Houses and bungalows (retired residents).

Class IV – Houses and bungalows (others).

Class V – Last years winners.

Class VI Disabled Section – All properties (this section will be for people with disabilities).

New Tenants’ Gardens – A special prize may be awarded to a resident, who in the estimation of the judges, has made substantial improvement to an overgrown and neglected garden or a new garden within the first eighteen months of the commencement of the tenancy. Entrants can be nominated by Trust Staff.

Vegetables – At the judges’ discretion a merit award may be given for this group.

The George Award – To be given to the resident of the front garden which, in the Judges’ opinion enhances the appearance of the Estate.

The Gordon Cherry Merit Award - This special prize, to be given to the resident who has demonstrated creativity and interest in hanging baskets.

Bloomin Kids – for children aged under 16 who have cultivated a piece of garden or planted a sunflower.

Community Garden – for a scheme of residents who work together to achieve a communal theme.

Eco Garden – for sustainable organic garden for children under 16 and adults.

Best BVT Allotment – best output and most varied / innovative use of a BVT allotment.

PrizesOverall Champion - First : Trophy & £40.00

Class I - First : Trophy & £40.00 - Second : £30.00 - Third : £20.00

Class II - First : Trophy & £40.00

- Second : £30.00 - Third : £20.00

Class III - First : Trophy & £40.00 - Second : £30.00 - Third : £20.00

Class IV - First : Trophy & £40.00 - Second : £30.00 - Third : £20.00

Class V - First : Trophy & £40.00

(Last years winners) - Second: £30.00

Class VI - Disabled Section : Trophy & £40.00

New Tenants’ Gardens : Trophy & £30.00

Vegetables: Trophy & £30.00

The George Award: Trophy & £40.00

The Gordon Cherry Merit Award: Trophy & £40.00

“Bloomin Kids” - First : Trophy & £25.00 - Second : £15 - Third : £10

Community Garden - Shield plus: £50

Eco Garden Award - First : Trophy + prize Kids £25 & Adults £40

Best BVT Allotment - First : Trophy & £40.00

Name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms)

Address

Post Code

Telephone number

(Please tick where applicable)

Class for which you wish to enter:

Please state Front, Rear or Both (F, R or B)

Class I Class II

Class III Class IV

Class V (Last year’s winners)

Class VI

New Tenants’ Gardens

Vegetables (See Rules)

The George Award (front garden)

Hanging Basket

Bloomin’ Kids

Community Garden

Eco Garden

Best BVT Allotment

I reside at the above address.

I undertake to abide by the Rules of the Competition.

Signed

Signed

(parent if entry for Bloomin Kids)

Now tear off this section and return to:

Marie DockerBournville Area Office, 27 Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham, B30 [email protected] 0121 415 6491

Nominated for an Inside Housing: 2010 Housing Heroes ‘Maintenance Team of the Year’ Award, every year Bournville Propertycare Services completes over 10,000 responsive repairs, not just for BVT, but for a number of managed housing societies.

In fact, across Shropshire their dedicated Maintenance Team promptly responds to handle all aspects of routine and

emergency maintenance - their aim: to send the right person, at the right time, to do the right job.

And they do all this seven days a week, 24-hours-a-day, 365 days of the year!

So, if you’ve got a job for Bournville Propertycare Services, get in touch – on 01952 585012 – because they’re ready and willing to help you.

Go on, do something newSince first opening its doors, last October, Lightmoor Village’s new Oak Tree Centre has welcomed many residents eager to see what’s on offer. Whether you’re keen to learn, keep fit, lose weight or stop smoking, there’s something for you!

As well as state-of-the-art sports and IT facilities, the Centre has excellent meeting rooms for hire and, in partnership with Telford College of Arts & Technology, also offers a wide range of adult learning classes.

Sign Language, Working in the Classroom and PhotoShop courses are currently running and Spanish, French and Counselling courses are planned for the future.

Oak Tree Centre is also proud to be a UK Online Hub offering a dedicated full-time tutor to guide those who wish to begin using computers and the internet.

Lightmoor Village Brownie pack has started recruiting new members there and, doing well in the local league, the Centre’s two football teams are keen to welcome new players.

Centre Manager, Fleur Hemming-Mount told InView: “Oak Tree Centre offers a host of opportunities - and it’s brilliant to see so many people coming in to try something new!”

Life-changing help for vulnerable peopleWhen one of BVT’s residents in Shropshire had difficulty getting outside into the garden – the Trust’s Housing Team contacted Bournville Propertycare Services.

When a BPS surveyor visited the resident to assess his circumstances and needs, he found a keen gardener who had recently lost both legs, but who was determined to continue to enjoy his garden.

After discussing with the resident his personal requirements, BPS designed a ramp and associated rails, so that he was easily able to get out and resume his passion for all things green.

“Unfortunately, at the end of April, the Government will be cutting funding for this sort of work but, when funding resumes, we’ll be ready. CRB checked, our multi-skilled operatives are also trained carpenters and master locksmiths, able to remove and replace locks and cut keys.”

“BPS operatives have been trained to install

a wide variety of equipment, such as stair gates and fireguards – and for the last five months we have been installing them, as part of the national Safe at Home Scheme,”

Steve Rose, Head of Contracting Services at BPS, told InView.

We’ll Sort it

Irena Smart our UK Online Centre tutor with Mary Corbett, a Lightmoor Village resident. Mary has gained lots of confidence in the past few months. We’re certain that she will be bartering on Ebay in the near future!


Debrah takes extra care With work on Bournville House, BVT’s Extra Care Scheme at Lightmoor Village, due for completion this autumn, the Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Debrah Gillard as Scheme Manager.

Originally from Wolverhampton, having worked for Hanover and Howard Cottage Housing Association in Hertfordshire, Debrah has moved back to the Midlands after 30 years.

She told InView: “BVT has a great reputation, and I feel this is the first stage in an exciting future for Extra Care at Lightmoor.”

The scheme forms part of a wider Lightmoor initiative, being led by the Trust to create a sustainable community, where no group is omitted. It will offer 59 self-contained two-bedroom apartments and a range of community facilities, including a bistro, gym, and craft room in landscaped gardens.

In keeping with the ethos of Lightmoor, the Extra Care Scheme has been designed by Bournville Architects to offer specialist housing, as an alternative to residential care, for older and disabled people.

Commenting on the Extra Care Scheme, Kevin Whitby, BVT’s Head of Shropshire Development & New Communities, said; “This unique opportunity has enabled us, in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council, to build our first ever Extra Care Scheme. Early indications show a great deal of interest from would-be residents, which is good news for Lightmoor and the Trust!”

Three ‘pears’ in the orchardThree sets of proud new parents, all neighbours in one Lightmoor Street, got together at Holywell Orchard recently to each plant a pear tree, as part of BVT’s Lightmoor Babies Project.

The parents, who were keen to plant their trees together, took their new offspring along to the planting ceremony to meet Lightmoor’s Resident Involvement Officer, Kath Hughes.

Kath told InView; “It’s highly unusual to have three sets of parents planting trees together, let alone from the same street – and this unique project aims to follow the new babies through school and beyond”

Our picture shows the proud parents, from left to right, Lee and Jen Massey with baby Sydney Evett, Grahame and Ellie Kensall with baby Lawrence, Rajiv and Amy Jugessar with baby Ryan.

Shropshire tenants came together with

Bournville Architects and Telford & Wrekin Council to review and sign off an interior design concept provided by Stanbridge, a specialist in interiors of extra care and sheltered provision. The Council invited BVT to join them to review colour-ways and design concepts for the soon-to-be-opened Bournville House at Lightmoor Village. The tenants are pictured viewing ‘mood boards’ at a meeting facilitated by Bournville Architects.

Following requests from residents, Shropshire is launching its very own annual gardening competition.

A small project team has already put together a judging panel and devised an entry form, which will soon be posted out, with a pre-paid envelope, to every Shropshire resident.

The new competition’s winning categories will include an eco prize and a junior gardening award. Depending on the level of response from residents, the project team is also planning a prize-giving event.

Entry forms can also be downloaded from the BVT website, at www.bvt.org.uk or via the BISTO website, at www.bisto-bvt.org.uk

Got the gardening bug?

Pictured from left to right Doreen Ledbury, Dot Humphries and Kath Waye.


Argos vouchers to be won!Launched last December, BVT’s new website not only offers a wealth of useful information on a range of topics - but a real opportunity for residents to give their views on the Trust’s standards and services.

For example, as InView went to press, a dedicated resident portal was being developed to provide a forum for ongoing resident discussion and interaction, on a wide range of subjects.

In future, you won’t have to attend Trust meetings to get your point across, you will be able get on the net, click your mouse, and put yourselves in the BVT picture!

The new website will also encourage feedback from residents via their very own ‘blog’ - so please, take a few minutes to view the new site, and email your comments to [email protected]

The senders of the top five most constructive comments will each receive a £20 Argos voucher - so what are you waiting for?

About to help out?There are countless reasons why people choose to volunteer. For some it’s a chance to offer positive help. Others simply have time to spare that they wish to use doing something that matters.

Volunteering helps others, can be highly rewarding, and can help people develop new skills and confidence. It creates opportunities to make new friends, and can even improve health and wellbeing. It can also be a stepping stone into employment, or training.

In 2011, European Year of Volunteering, BVT is launching its own Volunteer Bureau.

Whatever your circumstances or motivation, the Trust has a wide range of opportunities that may suit you: in administration, education, youth work, mentoring, gardening, music, driving and sport. You can also help out at Selly Manor and other events, or work with older people.

If you would like to know more about volunteering please contact Steven Wood on 0121-415 6491, or email [email protected]

Get active, raise moneyHere’s a great opportunity to get active, enjoy Bournville Estate at its best – and raise money for charity!

BVT, Bournville Harriers, Friends of Manor Farm Park, Bournville Village, Weoley Hill Village and Shenley Community Councils have proudly announced the first estate-wide 7 mile charity walk, which will take place on Sunday 22 May.

The walk will be split into five sections, each with its own check-point, and walkers can do as much, or as little, of the route as they like. Refreshments will be on sale along the route and Manor Farm Park is a great location for a family picnic.

Entry costs £5 per household, with all proceeds going to the charity Help for Heroes and volunteers are needed to staff checkpoints and act as stewards.

For more information or to register for an entry pack please contact BVT’s Community Team on 0121-415 6491 or e-mail [email protected]

Your website needs you!


Let me introduce myself. A retired female, I have been a Bournville resident for 32 years. From now on, I will be penning an InView column on environmental issues. I won’t use my real name (I’m not sure I could deal with the shoals of fan mail!) I’ll just use my pen name, Bienh.

I will write in a personal capacity, as a resident of the Estate, rather than as a mouthpiece for BVT, and I hope we may all benefit from the views and suggestions of other residents.

When we talk about the environment, what do we mean? In my view, safeguarding the environment is as much about ways to prevent the world from heating up, as it is about planting flowers, cleaning up local riverbanks and protecting wildlife.

Saving energy concerns us all. It saves us money and is beneficial for the environment. BVT is admirable in its concern for the environment. When it fitted out its ‘eco home’ in 2007, the Trust installed a ground source heat pump, solar panels, LED lighting and other energy saving features. But there are still issues over which we don’t see eye to eye!

It is often suggested we put environmental concerns ‘on hold’ until the economy picks up, that we cannot afford to keep gas and oil under ground,

and that it is too expensive to control emissions - but nature won’t wait until funds are back to normal!

Levels of CO2 are steadily rising, with 2010 vying with 1998 for the title ‘warmest year ever’. Last year we had a very ordinary British summer, lots of August rain and a cold December, but elsewhere in the world, it has been much drier and hotter than usual. Should we forget all other considerations to concentrate on the environment?

On one hand, to help the economy, we are told to spend rather than save (1), on the other, that we ought to save for a rainy day. ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’ is one of the rallying cries of the Green Movement. (2)

What do you think? And if it is ‘Spend! Spend! Spend!’ what should we spend our savings on?

Please send any comments, suggestions and objections to me, Bienh, care of BVT, Bournville Area Office, 27 Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham. B20 2AA - or join the forthcoming Environmental ‘blog’ on the BVT website!

1: ‘Spend or Save: the crucial decision – Bank of England deputy calls for Britons to go on spending spree’ The Guardian, 28th September 2010, p25. 2: Energy Saving Trust

Meet BVT’s Green TeamComprising officers from all departments, BVT’s Green Team meets six times a year to discuss energy, environmental and other ‘green’ issues.

As well as focusing on the Trust’s performance, the team seeks wider impact across many areas coming under its influence.

So far, it has enjoyed some spectacular successes, in particular:

• Our demonstration ‘eco home’, in Selly Oak Road, which had a direct impact on the way BVT’s older homes are modernised

• Thereductionofgas,water and electricity consumption in Trust offices

• Achangeinthewayweprintourdocuments, which has reduced costs and won the originator a Green Team award!

Keep watching for more demonstration projects and tips that will help you protect your environment and save you money.

Saving Energy = Saving MoneyAt BVT we believe we must all work to develop and sustain our environment. With that in mind we’re keen to ensure all our homes are as energy efficient as possible.

To help you, we’ve produced a special guide explaining why we all need to save energy. The guide includes sections on lighting and heating, laundry and cooking, bathing and washing, and switching your energy supplier, as well as useful contact information.

To obtain your Guide to Energy Efficiency, call BVT on 0121 415 6404 or view it on the BVT website at bvt.org.uk

Global warming, or a lot of hot air?


Would you or your loved ones benefit from knowing emergency help is available at the push of a button?

Trustline is a personal alarm system that promotes independence within your own home, with the reassurance of having access to support 24-hours-a-day, every day of the year.

Trustline can provide help if you have a fall, an accident or feel vulnerable in any way.

Trustline can help give you safety, dignity, peace of mind, confidence and security.

To find out more, arrange a demonstration, or enjoy a 28-day free trial, please call 0121-476 2777 or visit trustline24hourhelpline.com

HELPAt the touch of a button!

Annette Homer has joined BVT as its newDirectorofHousing&CommunityServices – stepping into the shoes of Bob Stanton, who retired in January.

With over 23 years experience in the social housing sector, for the last 15 years Annette has led the housing service of the Bromford Group in the South West region.

Having worked amongst properties of great character, across Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, she is excited at the prospect of working in Bournville.

“As a child I had relatives who lived and worked in this area and, back in 1988, the history of Bournville formed part of my studies for a housing qualification,”Annette told InView.

She also has a good deal of experience in the development of new, energy efficient housing and the benefits this brings to communities.

In recognition of her contribution to the world of housing, Annette was awardedFellowship of the Chartered Institute of Housing in 2007.

She added: “My view of my role, in relation to service delivery, is to constantly ask the question, ‘how can we work in partnership with our customers to continually improve the services we deliver and the homes our customers live in?’”

Annette’s appointment coincides with the BVT’s recent re-structure of senior staff. Our chart shows the

Trust’s new organisational structure and for information about individual departments, visit the BVT website at bvt.org.uk

Prior to Christmas, BVT wrote to all residents in flats and sheltered schemes, making it a rule that, under no circumstances could they personalise the communal areas around their homes with items such as plants or ornaments.

Having taken into account current legislation relating to fire safety, this new rule was the Trust’s safest option.

As a result, the Trust has decided residents will be allowed to place doormats, pot plants and other personal items outside their homes, as long as these neither prevent neighbours and visitors passing by without tripping, nor present a fire hazard.

Full details of this new rule have now been sent to all of the residents to which it applies!

You said, we did

Since then, a number of you have

told us you are not happy with

the new rule. At last year’s ‘OpenView’

events, further feedback resulted in us

having a rethink on how we could keep

residents happy, but safeguard them

too.

Annette Homer, BVT’s Director of Housing &

Community Services, told InView.

Annette’s best job, yet!


4.

3. 5. 6. 8. 10.

1. i 9. 11.

2. 7. e

w w w. b v t. o r g. u k

n

w i h e

l

Easter: a time of restraintDid you know, in Tudor England, Easter was the biggest, most important celebration of the year?

Preparations began on Shrove Tuesday, a fun day with delicious pancakes, carnivals, plays and mob football - a game with unlimited players and few rules.

From Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday the 40 days of Lent were a serious time of repentance and fasting, with eggs, meat and dairy products forbidden.

After some five weeks of restraint, Easter Sunday celebrations were especially welcome and church services began at dawn. New clothes would be worn, feasting would go on late into the night - and the celebrations would extend beyond Easter Sunday.

This time was called Hocktide, when tradition required the men of the parish tie up the women and demand a kiss in return for their release and, next day, the women would tie up the men and demand payment before setting them free!

Join us over Easter for a Fun Family day out at Selly Manor and the Young Tudors Family Trail.

For more information visit our new website bvt.org.uk/sellymanor

Boat trip in site, for intrepid explorer!

Enter our free competition and you could win a day’s weekend boat hire exploring the canals of Tardebigge or Wootton Wawen, with nine of your friends.

Tardebigge has one lock-free northward canal route and Wootton Wawen has two, both with locks. Our prize winner will be able book a boat from 9am-4pm on any available date and choose their starting location.

To enter, all you have to do is explore BVT’s new website and, using the clues and grid letters shown, cross the web address, left to right, with your answers.

When you have completed the grid, cut it out and send it, along with your name, address and telephone number to: InView Competition, The Estate Office, Bournville Village Trust, Oak Tree Lane, Birmingham B30 1UB.

All correct entries received by 4 July 2011 will be placed into a draw, and the sender of the first entry drawn, will be our lucky winner!

Clues:

1. What you will click with ‘events’?

2. What’s up ahead of every web address?

3. What’s enabled in home’s top right corner?

4. What tops the pot in the maintenance icon?

5. What have BVT been doing for communities since 1900?

6. What’s the number of drop down languages?

7. What’s the button between ‘home’ and ‘maintenance’

8. What can you do in home’s box, top right?

9. What’s to shout about on home’s pink icon?

10. What do you click to see our history?

11. What’s the name of the lane HQ’s in?

Snow prize like it!Alex Cheswick was the lucky winner of our competition in the last edition of Outlook. Alex, of Knighton Road, Bournville, is seen here enjoying his prize – a trip to Tamworth’s Snowdome!

View from the Museum


Shenley seniors youth club has a recently refurbished building and all new equipment including:

Youthroom•TV•Musicstudio•Pooltable•Sportsfacilities ...and more more more!

Shenley seniors aged 13+ Every Thursday evening 7.15pm – 8.45pm Shenley Court Hall, 200 Green Meadow Road, Selly Oak, B29 4ED

Come on down and see for yourself!

For further information contact Steve or Phil on 0121-415 6493 or 0121-415 6516Supported by Bournville VillageTrust

Many of you will have read former Bournville Sports Crown Green Bowling Club Secretary David Seward’s reports in past editions of Outlook. Sadly, David passed away in 2009, and I inherited his role as Secretary, so I am writing to bring you up to date on all that is happening down at the green!

The biggest change since David last wrote has seen Cadbury pass into the hands of Kraft. Though not suffering from the uncertainty of continued employment myself, as Secretary, I am concerned about the future of the club.

The field and green are no longer maintained by BVT’s ground staff and, in these days of ‘cost consciousness’, there is concern that ‘savings’ may have to be made which could affect all who enjoy our club’s facilities.

As yet, there is no suggestion any existing arrangements the Club enjoys will end, but it would be foolish to think the situation will never change.

Our club is gearing up for another season of competitive bowls and remains open to all those who wish to come and play the game or find out more.

From mid April onwards there’s usually a match on the green from 3pm on a Saturday afternoon and, this season, we will be playing in our new navy blue club shirts!

Bowls is a great sport, where you can make life-long friends. It is also an ideal outlet for the competitiveness that many youngsters may show, but have little opportunity to demonstrate in more mainstream sports.

Whether you’re aged 10, or 30, or 60, it’s never too late to start playing bowls. Why not join us and watch a game, or give me a call to find out more? You can contact me on 07715 712568 or email me at [email protected]

Something’s cooking in the village kitchen

Crispy Easter Chocolate NestsEasy to make, in six simple steps, Crispy Easter Chocolate Nests look so pretty when they are finished … and the kids will love ‘em!

Our recipe below makes approximately 15 nests!

You will need:• 50gramsofmilkchocolate

• 50gramsofdarkchocolate

• 3cupsofRiceCrispies

• 1bagofCadburyMiniEggs

Method:1. Put a saucepan with some water in

the bottom on the stove and bring it to a simmer.

2. Break the chocolate up into bits and place it into a glass bowl, large enough to sit over the simmering water.

3. Being careful not to let the water boil, cook and stir the chocolate until it is melted.

4. Once the chocolate is smooth and melted, carefully remove it from the heat and stir in the rice cereal.

5. Line a bun tin with paper liners and spoon the chocolate cereal mixture into it, dividing it equally between the cups.

6. Place a few Easter eggs on the top of each and set them aside to cool and set. (You can put them in the fridge to do this if you are in a hurry, but it may cause your chocolate to bloom!)

If you have a favourite recipe you would like to share with InView readers, why not send it in to ‘The Village Kitchen’, C/o InView, BVT, Estate Office, Oak Tree Lane, Birmingham B30 1UB - or email it to BVT at bvt.org.uk

Do you have a computer game, music, film or DVD review, youth event or information you would like to share with other youngsters across the Trust? If so, email us at [email protected] and we’ll publish your thoughts and suggestions at GameZone: InView!

Are you 13 plus? Do you like activities and lots of fun?

We are happy to make this information available on CD, in large print or braille.Bournville Village Trust, Estate Office, Oak Tree Lane, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1UB Telephone 0121 472 3831 Fax 0121 414 1348Shropshire Area Office, Courtside House, Telford Square, Telford TF3 4EQ

Email: [email protected] www.bvt.org.ukDesigned and produced by Matrix Creative Marketing.16 InView Spring 2011

spring view 2011

Documents

bwhs tenants

bwhs houses

bwhs board

chairman of bwhs

bvt group

bvt residents

bvt forms

bvt staff