OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS VISIT CADBURY WORLD

The Oscott Elderly Residents Group trip to Cadbury's World earlier this week was a great success. many elderly resident who do not get out very often were taken on a trip to see Chocolate being made at the Cadbury Plant in Bournville. There was a tour of the site and a free meal paid for by funding obtained by the OERG.
Local Councillors Keith Linnecor and Barbara Dring volunteered their services to help out. The tour and funding was arranged by Maureen Byrne Chair OERG.


If you would like more information about the Oscott Eldrly Residents Group please ring 464 1869

KETTLE HOUSE ROAD GETS SPEED INDICATOR SIGN

The Oscott Residents Groups are pleased to see that the Neighbourhood Police Initiative and Councillor Keith Linnecors campaign for a Speed Indicator Sign for Kettlehouse Road has finally paid off.
We hope this will help make the road a lot safer for residents and motorists

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUPS COFFEE MORNING

The next meeting of the Oscott Elderly Residents coffee morning will be on November 17th at 11.15am at the 610 Community Centre.
Why not pop in for a chat and a laugh over tea and cakes.

COLD CALL FREE ZONE NEEDED.

There will always be a certain amount of cold calling but at the moment it seems to be going over the top. Companies need to realise there is only so much residents can take before their patients snamp Double glassing reps constantly call even at housing where clearly there is no need of their services. There is also the problem of bogus callers. Always check the ID of any one who calls at your house and remember there is no such thing as a water company, (it is Seven Trent).
With all this in mind we welcome Councillor Keith Linnecors at temps to have this area made into a Cold call free Zone.

FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY

There will be a Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve activity day on Sat Nov 6th. The meeting place will be the Ashworth Road entrance at 11am. Pruning and litter picking will take place.
For more details please ring 360 6486

WHERE IS THE SIGN

There has been yet another accident on the Bandywood Road. The NPI and the ORG have been calling for action from the Council to deal with this and understood a Slow Down sign was to have been put up last month. The delay in putting up this sign in our view is a disgrace.
HOW MANY MORE ACCIDENTS WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS COUNCIL TO GET ITS FINGER OUT.

PERRY COMMON LIBRARY RE OPENED.

The ORG are delighted to see the reopening of the Perry Common Library.
Along with other members of the Oscott Ward Advisory Board we helped our local Councillors decide to spend some of the wards Community Chest to help pay for the new interior alterations in the library.

It has been closed to long because of serious structural problems with the roof but we are pleased it is now open. THE OFFICIAL OPENING TAKES PLACE TODAY (Sat 25th Sept)

Metropolitan College new car parks.

The Osoctt Resident Groups welcome the enlargement and creation of new car parks of the Metropolitan College site Aldridge Road.
We believe it will help relieve the car parking horrors faced by local residents. It may not be the finale solution but it will go some way towards it. We would also like to thank Councillors Linnecor, Green and Dring for their efforts to get the college to do this work.

THE FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE AGM

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve will be holding their AGM on Saturday 2nd October at 11am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve look after the interests of the reserve for its wild life and the users of it. There all have an interest in the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground and other environmental issues in the area.

If you wish to be nominated for one of the Committee laces please ring 464 1969 before 12 noon Monday 27th September

Jean Baker R.I.P

It is with great sadness the ORG has to report the death of Jean Baker. Jean passed away last week following a long illness.

Jean was a hard working volunteer member of the ORG. She was particularly involved with the Oscott Housing Liaison Board, the Oscott North Neigbourhood Forum ( A founder member) and the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve.

Jean worked often behind the scenes on behalf of the local community.
Our thoughts are with her family.


N.Quinn
Chair ORA

SPEED INDICATOR FOR A ROAD IN KINGSTANDING

The NPI were very pleased to find out that following our backing of Councillor Keith Linnecor in his attempts to get some form of speed calming measures in Kettlehouse Road, a Speed Indicator sign is to be errected on Kettlehouse Road.
Along with Councillor Keith Linnecor and Local residents we have been sent in a number of complaints about speeding in this road and are pleased that action is at last being taken.

PUBLIC MEETING UPDATE

The ORG held a public meeting on Saturday. Guest speakers included Khalid Mahmood MP , Councillor Keith Linnecor and Representatives from the Police and Fire brigades.
Khalid explained his concerns about government cuts and answered a number of questions from the uaiance regarding a number of national issues.
The Police and Firebrigade also answered a number of Questions.
Among the issue's raised and discussed with Councillor Keith lLinnecor Oscott Councillor wereparking problems in the area. Speeding in many roads including, Kingstanding Road, Birdbrook Road, Dunedin Road, Kettlehouse Road and Cooksey Lane. ( The Police should be considering these roads for their Speed Community Watch initiative)Tree pruning in various roads across the ward. Burford Road anti social behavior issues which were being passed to the Police. The poor state of many of our roads.Various environmental issues.
The ORG would like to thank all those who attended our meeting.

Councillor Keith linnecor and Barbara Dring help sort out another right mess.

The Oscott Residents Group would like to congratulate the Asgrove Neighbourhood Association on its successful attempt tho thwart the Birmingham Housing department and become a recognised residents association.
Members who have represented the ORG on the Oscott Housing Liaison Board ( now abandoned because the housing department could not get its own way) run literally by the Housing department know only too well what it is like to be expected to cow tow to the Housing department.
ORG would also like to say well done to Councillor Keith Linnecor and Barbara Dring for their efforts in trying to sort out the mess the Housing department seem to have got into with their siding with one faction of the Ashgrove residents against another.

ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP MEETING TODAY

There will be a meeting of the Oscott Elderly Residents group, today at 11.15am at the 610 Community Centre.
There will be tea and biscuits and a chance to have a chin wag and a laugh.
There will also be live musi today. Why not pop along.

OSCOTT RESIDENTS GROUPS PUBLIC MEETING 7TH AUGUST

There will be a meeting of the Oscott Residents groups on Saturday 7th August at 11.am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.

If you would like to let us know about any local concerns please come along.

We have asked Councillor Keith Linnecor to attend as our special guest speaker and we have also asked Khalid Mahmood MP., Councillor Barbara Dring, Councillor Graham Green and the Police to come along too.

The ORG include the Oscott Residents Association, The Oscott Disability Group,, The Oscott Elderly Residents Group, the Neighbourhood Police Initiative, Local Neighbourhood Forums and other Community Groups.

Please try and come along we would love to hear from you.

Nigel Quinn
Chair ORA

It is time Perry Common reopend.

It is about time the Perry Common Library re opened. Many of our older members rely on the Library and the service has been badly missed. We understand that a lot of work has been needed to restore the condition of the library and that the building is a graded one but feel it is about time it reopen. ORG will be in touch with our Councillors to ask them to push the Council to take action.

Traverlers move on.

The ORG are pleased to see that at last the Travelers who were using the old Crossway pub site Kingstanding have been moved on. We hope they will be charged for the mess they have left behind.

Save our bus pass

The Oscott Residents Groups are very concerned that the government may put back the age some one can have an elderly persons bus pass form 60 to 65. This will mean a lot of hardship for a lot of residents in the Oscott area and we would urge you write to your MP and ask him or her to take up the issue.

Councillor Keith Linnecor teams up with other Councillors to try and make Kettlehouse Road safe

The Oscott Resident Groups would like to thank Councillor Keith Linnecor and the other Oscott Councillors for getting together to write a letter to the Councils Highways department to try and get them to introduce traffic calming measures of some sort in Kettlehouse Road.
A joint approach may be just what is needed to prod the Council into taking much needed action.
Our post bags shows how much concern residents have with this issue.

Brian Brookes

KINGSTANDING MAN LEADS BATTLE FOR DISABLED RESIDENTS

George Hough has been for a number of year on of Oscott and Kingstandings leading community leaders. George who's group the Oscott Disability Group says.
" I would like to thank various Oscott Councillors over the years for their support.
Disabled resident deserve and demand better pavements and access to local shops and our councillors do what they can to help the ODG improve these things for disabled residents.

A TRUE KINGSTANDING LOCAL CHAMPION

Brian Brookes the Kingstanding Neighbourhood Police Initiative senior Co coordinator recently appeared in a half page spread in the Evening Mail as a Local Champion. WE believe he truly deserves that aculade for many year now he has led a team of NPI members) Founded by Councillor Keith Linnecor). These quiet volunteers work to help the local Police prevent crime and by ensuring the local community and the Police work together. Well done Brian.

To many accidents on Kettlehouse Road

The Oscott Residents Groups are very concerned about the amount of accidents that are happening on the Ketlehouse Road. We have been in Touch with Councillor Keith Linnecor who is actively trying to get the Conservative Controlled Birmingham City Council to take action.
Along with Councillor Keith Linnecor and other residents we are doing what we can to get the Council to take action.

Well done Khalid Mahmood MP

The Oscott Residents Groups would like to congratulate Kharlid Mahmmod MP for his election victory earlier this month.

Well done Councillor Barbara Dring

The Oscott Residents Groups would like to congratulate Councillor Barbara Dring on her election victory earlier this month.

Better work needed on Duneidn Road Pavements.

The Oscott Resident Groups worked hard to try and get the Council to take action to improve Dunedin Road. We are pleased that by working with residents and local Councillors we have made progress. We are concerned however at the poor workmanship there is on some parts of the new lay ed tarmac paving. We will try and get the Council to improve and put this right.

To many flyer's from Take Aways and so on.

The Oscott Resident Groups receive a lot of complaints about the amount of junk mail but through residents doors. Supermarket adverts. Take away menu's, Taxi firm cards and so on. Don't these companies realise how annoying their unwanted flyer's are.
best thing to do is put a polite note in your window saying no flyer's thank you.

Booths Lane repair work on the way.

The ORG are please to learn that Councillor Linnecor has finally made progress with the Birmingham City Council and the Council are to make a least some repairs to the Booths Lane.
ORG have petitioned and requested on numerous occasion for the Council to take action and we have worked with Councillor Linnecor and other for some time to try and get something done.
We are still calling on the Council to buy this land and get it firt for purpose once and for all

Another enjoyable meeting held by The Oscott Elderly Residents Groups.

The Oscott Eldery Residents Rroup held another of its Wednesday Tea and biscuit sessions Wednesday. At these sessions it is a chance to socialise over a cup of tea and some times to listen to a guest speaker.
The special guest speaker at this meeting was Khaldi Mahmood who held a question and answer session. Kharlid said, " I think residents like Maureen Bryrn who is disabled her self but still helps organise these meetings are a real assert to the community"
Maureen said " it is really nice that Khalid despite his busy schedule can find time to come and speak to our group we all enjoyed it"

Beware of Con man

The Neighbourhood Police Initiative and the Police would like to ward residents there are Con men about.
Beware of anyone telling you you must have work done because of complaints by neighbours. Also make sure you check the details of any workman who may call on you. Their phone number, company, Reg No. If they object they may not be who they say who they are. If in doubt do not let them in your house and call the Police. It is better to use trade recognised workman as found in the yellow pages.

Brian Stevens
NPI Senior Coordinator

ORG AGM'S REPORT

The Oscott Residents Groups held their AGMs recently and would like to thank Councillor Keith Linnecor for chairing the meeting. We would also like to thank Councillor Graham Green, and Khalid Mahmood MP for attending and speaking at our meeting. We would also like to thank those residents who took part.
Members were elected onto the following committees.
The Oscott Residents Association (Chair Nigel Quinn)
The Olscott Disability Group (Chair George Hough)
Oscott Elderly Residents Groups ( Chair Maureen Byrne)

AGM dates for ORG set

The AGM for the various Oscott community groups under the ORG umberella will be taking place on the 6th March at the 610 Community Centre. If you would like to get involved in trying to improve the area or just want to know more about the groups making up the ORG please come along.
Nominations for the various committees can be sent by post* To Mr Quinn ORG C/o the Perry Barr Constituency office (third floor) Tambridge House Perry Barr Birmingham. To arrive no later than mid day on the 3rd of March.
For further details please ring 464 1869

Street light repairs success

With the help of Councillor Linnecor ORG have put pressure on the Birmingham City Council to get a number of faulty street lights repaired recently.
If you know of any faulty lights let us know.
Leave a message on this blog. leave us your comment.

Nigel Quinn
Chair
ORA

Queslett Nature Reserve event announced.

There will be a Bird study even at the Queslett Nature Reserve on March 6th. The meeting place will be the Ashworth Road entrance of the reserve. 11pm
There will be a chance to study with a senior Bio diversity expert birds seen on the reserve.
Anyone wishing to can also help with a litter picking exercise.
All are welcome. Children must be supervised by an adult. Please come prepared for the weather.

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP TEA AND BISCUIT SESSION 10TH FEB

The next meeting of the Oscott Elderly Residents Tea and biscuit meeting will be on February 10th at 11.15 am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road . Free tea and biscuits will be available and there will be an opportunity to have a friendly chat with other local residents.
Why not come along all Oscott elderly residents are welcome.
For further details please contact Maureen Byrne 681 1826

SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE QUESLETT ROAD ON THE WAY

The Oscott Residents Groups were pleased to hear that the Sandwell Council have now finally listened to Councillor Keith Linnecor and our selves and are to introduce speed indicators to their side of the Queslett Road on the approach to the Motorway bridge opposite Nova Court.
Sandwell also intend to improve the carriage way surface by resurfacing part of it with a none slip surface.
The ORG are still pushing to get the Nova court junction improves and welcome the news that more councillors are getting involved to try and get this done.

Queslett Nature Reserve gets new signs

At long last new signs which were paid for by the FQNR have been delivered and erected by the Birmingham City Council Parks department. They have been placed near the Old Horns Entrance and the Ashworth Road Entrance.On the new signs is information about the Queslett nature Reserve its history and wildlife. There is also some information about the FQNR.WE are looking for new members and if you would like to know more please ring 360 6486

Try and help an elderly resident through this cold spell

The ORG are fully behind the Oscott Elderly Residents Group in their efforts to make everyone more aware of the elderly, in this cold weather.
We all need to look out for the elderly and disabled people, in this cold snap, particularly if they live alone.
We would request that every asks any one who may be vulnerable, if they need a hand.

Maureen Byrne the OERG Chair said " many of our members who are elderly them selves, are trying to look out for others, I would really like to request younger people in particular, try and help their elderly neighbours through this cold spell Why not aslk if they need some shoppong fetched for example. Older people should also ensure they keep them selves warm."

WE WANT MORE GRIT BINS

Many Oscott Residents are contact various Oscott Groups asking that we put pressure on the Council for more grit bins.
If you have a location where you think a grit bin should go let us know and we will support youir request to the Council.

NO LIGHTS FOR NOVA COURT JUNCTION

Like many residents the ORG were shocked when the Cabinet Member for Street Services informed the local media they were not after all going to carry out the councils promise to introduce traffic lights to the Nova Court Junction on Queslett Road.
This strange and badly thought out decision flies against all the promises made by him through his Transportation department and we would urge him to reconsider this matter.