Local green initiative refused

Birmingham Planning Committee have, as indicated previously, turned down an application by St Mary's Church to install an array of photo voltaic solar panels on the south-facing roof. This would have been funded by a £30,000 grant awarded to SusMo by the British Gas Green Streets competition.

Professor John Dowell spoke on behalf of St. Mary’s Church, confirming the parish’s dual commitment to the preservation of historic buildings and energy conservation. He emphasised that the array would be subtle, and easily reversible – and that no opposition had been received from anyone who lives in the streets surrounding the church. Professor Dowell also highlighted that to reject the project would be inconsistent with Birmingham’s energy policy.

Also speaking in support was Councillor Ernie Hendricks, speaking on behalf of Moseley as a whole. While sympathetic to the issue of conservation, he felt that the solar panels would be restricted from view and the fixing of them would cause no material damage.

On the committess seven voted against, six for, with two abstentions.

See more reaction and comment by SusMo here.

What do we think in Moseley? Have your say and vote in our poll (see panel on left) Tell us your opinion and we will publish the results.

Local group carry on regardless.

SusMo (Sustainable Moseley) continue their progress towards helping Moseley to be a greener, more pleasant place to live and reduce the village's carbon footprint.

Despite the news that Council Officers are to recommend that the Planning Committee refuse the planning application to install photo-voltaic panels on the roof of St Mary's Church. The project is part of the British Gas Green Streets award which would deliver around 8,000 kWh of renewable energy per year to be fed back to the grid and produce an income. This goes directly against City Council and Government policy.

The planning application will be considered on Thursday, 4 February 2010 at 11am in Committee Rooms 3 and 4, Council House. Item 15 on the agenda.

SusMo have also scheduled for the evening of Thursday 4th February a meeting to establish whether a community-scale energy company is feasible for the village. The meeting aims are to share information, explain the plans and to gauge public opinion as to whether to progress the idea. The meeting starts at 7pm at the Hamza Mosque and Islamic Centre, Church Road.

 Full details of times and location on the events calender here.

CHARITIES OFFERED £10,000 BOOST

Charities, community groups and clubs from across south Birmingham are being offered to grab a share of £10,000 offered by Moseley Round Table.

It is the largest ever amount put up for donation by Moseley Round Table who are hoping to make a difference to a number of organisations feeling the pinch from the economic downturn.

The initiative, TEN for 2010 – which launches on Friday January 22 to coincide with a brand new website - has been possible due to the over-whelming success of their annual fireworks event.

Round Table has traditionally supported local causes but never in its 59-year history has been able to give away this kind of sum and make such a difference to the numerous charities and organisations that put so much back into the community.

The TEN for 2010 project will culminate in grand finale on Saturday, April 17 when the beneficiaries are revealed after a presentation to a specially selected TEN for 2010 panel.

Current chairman Mark Wilkinson, who proposed the idea, is eager to give the community some much-need support.

“We really want to make a difference to those groups who put so much into the community and we’re in a position to do following the success of our fireworks event,” he said.

“We are aware that there are a lot groups who have special projects or those that struggle for financial support but give so much back.

“I’m not sure how many organisations, be that charities, sports clubs or community groups are actually aware that we can help them.

“Through ‘TEN for 2010’ we hope that people get a greater understanding of what Round Table is about and the part we play in the community.

“Being able to giveaway £10,000 is a marvellous achievement and we’re looking forward to helping a number of charities.”

The ‘TEN for 2010’ panel will assess all the applications with a number invited to attend the finale – all of those attending will get a share of the £10,000.

Organisations are not restricted to how much they can request but must fulfil the criteria on the application form.

Organisations who want to be considered for a share of the ‘TEN for 2010’ fund should submit their request via an official application form, which they can request by emailing moseleyroundtable@hotmail.co.uk or writing to TEN for 2010, 45 Avenue Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7TJ.

The deadline for submissions is Saturday April 2.

 South African police investigate ex-Moseley teens' death

Moseley named in Birmingham alcohol report

A city council report released this week into drug and alcohol misuse among adults and children in Birmingham has exposed the worst areas for alcohol abuse in the city. The highlighted areas for alcohol abuse were Moseley, Kings Heath, Nechells, Washwood Heath, Soho, Erdington and Kingstanding.

Chief executive of pressure group Alcohol Concern,Don Shenker said: “Sadly it’s now the norm for schoolchildren to be drinking at younger ages. When they do drink, they are drinking larger amounts that are beyond youthful experimentation.

Without government action on pocket-money prices and easy availability of alcohol, this is a worrying trend that’s likely to continue.”

Moseley ex-beauty queen & Dance Centre owner dies    

Hazel Cleaver, the owner of the Moseley Dance Centre and a former Miss Great Britain has died following a five-year battle with breast cancer.

Hazel won the title in 1958 and went on to work as a chorus girl with acts such as Morecombe & Wise and Bruce Forsyth at the London Palladium. She was born and grew up in Sparkhill but had her first dancing lessons at the Dance Centre and took over the running of it in the 1980's.

Four die in late-night Moseley crash

Pedestrian dies in Moseley incident. 

The centre of Moseley was cordoned off by the emergency services this afternoon (Monday) following a serious collision between a lorry and a female pedestrian. Police have arrested a man aged 55 and are continuing  investigations.

There have been further reports that the 70 year-old pedestrian died at the scene of  the incident.