Bearwood e-BulletinThe

News from your Abbey Ward Labour Councillors August 2018

New bedsit plans pose a serious threat to the viability of the shopping centre

Plans to cram dozens of bedsits above the shops on Bearwood Road could have a seriously detrimental impact on the viability of Bearwood shopping centre, Abbey Ward councillor Bob Piper has warned.

Property developers Green Room Properties are planning to convert over 50 rooms above the shops in to bedsit apartments.

They claim they are only seeking to let their bedsits to ‘single professional people’ such as key NHS workers teachers an other young professionals…”who do not require car parking.”

Bob Piper said, “This is clearly not something that they either can, nor intend to enforce as a planning condition. The reality will be that tenants will have cars in many cases, and so will their visitors. There simply isn’t the amount of parking space in Bearwood to accommodate so many new tenancies.

“So, they are likely to park in the neighbouring streets like Herbert Road, Lightwoods Road, Anderson Road and others. However, residents in those roads may apply for residents’ parking zone(s) and if are able to win a ballot, the problems would begin to escalate.

“This would reduce available parking spaces for those residents, and that could start to fan out to other roads which already suffer with parking problems. However, another, wider implication could be that it reduces available parking for shoppers. The lack of available parking is already cited by many as one of the problems for Bearwood shoppers, and further reductions could really damage the retail area.”

Currently, the people who own these properties are investing a lot of money to improve the frontages of the shops and the pavements, and making the empty shops more attractive for marketing. All of this is welcome, and is something people have wanted to see for a long time. But by trying to cram too many

bedsits in to the space above the shops, the owners are in danger of threatening their retail businesses and be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Bob Piper added, “We are not opposed to converting some of these spaces above shops to living accommodation, but cramming too many people in simply for greater profit is unacceptable and could prove damaging to the area.”

Concerns have also been raised about access via a rear alley and whether emergency services will be able get vehicles on site.

The plans will go to Sandwell Council’s Planning Committee on the 8th August.

The Bearwood e-Bulletin is a newsletter produced by the Abbey Ward Labour Councillors, printed and promoted by Bob Piper, 115 Barclay Road, B67 5JZ

Celebrate National Play Day at Sandwell Families Big Picnic

Wednesday 1 August between 11am and 3pm

Go Play Sandwell and the Sandwell Families Big Picnic are back once again to celebrate National Play Day and all the family are invited to come along and enjoy a vast variety of entertainment.

Play Day and the Big Picnic, which has previously attracted families from across the area, is being held on the front lawn of Lightwoods House in Lightwoods Park.

The annual event, being hosted by Go Play Sandwell and Sandwell’s Family Information Service, promises bigger and better activities than ever before.

Families are encouraged to come along and bring their picnics. Children can also enjoy the free activities which include den building, circus skills with Steve the Juggler, face painting, sporting activities, the Youth Bus, mobile library and much more.

Theatre in the Woods

Chris Sherlock from Brumbats will again be leading the Warley Woods Batwalk. Book in advance as it always sells out. Bookings from the shop.

Lego Club at the library is ‘a great success!’

One of the dozens of activities for youngsters taking place at Thimblemill Library over the summer holidays has proved extremely popular.

The library has launched a ‘Lego Club’ where children can come in and use their creativity using a wide variety of lego pieces available at the library.

Librarian Julie McKirdy said, “It has been great, and the kids absolutely loved it.”

Julie added, “If anyone out there has any old lego sets that their children have outgrown, drop them in at the library and we’ll add them to our collection.”

Free Golf Camp for Juniors Warley Woods Golf Course

During August Warley Woods Golf Course, together with Sandwell Council and the GL Golf Academy, will be putting on free fun and active golf lessons for youngsters with golf teacher Greg Lynch. There are sessions for 5-7 year olds, and for 8-14 year olds.

Booking in advance absolutely essential. Booking on 429 2440

Sessions available on:

Wednesday 1st August 15th August 22nd August 29th AugustThursday 2nd August16th August 23rd August 30th AugustFriday 3rd August 17th August 24th August 31st August

* Subject to availability each child can select up to 3 FREE sessions to attend

Meaghan Blanchard is a hugely talented singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island in Canada and she is widely acknowledged as one of Canada’s finest folk/roots artists…and she has multiple awards to prove it!

Meaghan will be performing songs from her new album, The Great Escape, a powerful collection of deeply personal songs.

“An artist with a vision of how to use her wonderful voice and pair it up with songs that truly move you.” - Maverick

Plus support Katy Rose Bennett

Tickets £8 in advance (£5 concessions) £10 on the door £7 concessions)

Meaghan Blanchard

Saturday 4th August

7.30pm

Thimblemill Library

Black Country Touring and So Festival present

Life’s a Beach Supported by Creative Black Country

Thimblemill Library Thursday 23rd August

10am – 6pm £1.00 per person

Join us for Elvis Bingo Balls and Fishy Tales in the caravans.

BCT’s Two Caravans – each one specially created performance space, each one a different part experience shared across culture – the British

seaside

PLEASE BOOK YOUR TIME SLOT AT THE LIBRARY IN ADVANCE

Notice Board

Thimblemill Library WHAT’S ON

Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 5RJ Telephone 0121 429 2039, Email: thimblemill_Library@sandwell.gov.uk Aug 2018

Opening Hours

Monday 9am-1pm 2pm - 6pm Tuesday 9am-1pm 2pm - 6pm Wednesday 9am-1pm 2pm-6pm Thursday 9am-1pm Friday 9am-1pm 2pm- 6pm Saturday 10am–4pm

Monday Born to Move Fun exercise

for 2-3 year olds 9.45am - 10.15am

Sling Library

Social group for parents 11.30am - 1.30pm

1st Monday of the month

Sing and Sign Using Makaton

2pm-3pm

Captain Hook and Tinkerbell

Tuesday 28th August 2018 2.30-3.30

Once Upon a Dream

Princess/hero school 1 hour interactive lesson on how to be a

Princess or Hero

All children will receive a certificate of

Graduation

Children 3+

Friday 24th August

2.30pm– 3.30pm

The Animal Man

20th August 2.30-3.30

Mr Bamboozle 15th August 2.30-3.30

The Animal Man

20th August 2.30-3.30

Film Club Enjoy a movie with us Saturday 11th August

Starts 7pm To check the film

Email:vdubois@blueyonder.co.uk

Activities for Children

Activities for Children

Join the summer reading challenge, six books in six weeks, are you up for it?

Join the summer reading challenge 6 books 6 weeks

Cereal Readers

Join us for breakfast Every morning

10-11am

Special Events Not to be missed

Thursday 2nd August 2018

11.00-12.00

Ron Popple

Children’s Entertainer Monday 6th August 2018

2.30-3.30 Puppet tree – Carnival Capers

Storytelling/Puppets/Crafts

Wednesday 22nd Aug 2018 11.00-12.00

Activities for Children

Steve the Juggler

Monday 13th August

11.00-12.00 Noon