Teas for visitors to the churchyard bulbs will be available during weekends from this Saturday, 31st January. Other events in the coming week are detailed below.
 
In this issue:
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The Family Service this Sunday, 1st February, at 10.15am, will be about ‘The Presentation of Christ in the Temple’ and will be a service of thanksgiving, mystery and prayer to mark the end of Christmas.
 
Services at St James’s Church during the rest of February will be held at the following times:
  • Sunday 8th: Holy Communion, 10.15am.
  • Sunday 15th: Morning Praise, 10.15am.
  • Sunday 22nd: Bulb Sunday Service, 3.00pm.
The Bulb Sunday Service will include a visiting choir from Upton Upon Severn and will be followed by teas in the Village Hall.
 
Finally, if you know of anyone who would be willing to play the church organ occasionally, please contact Ann Maxwell on 01386 751662.
 
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A reminder that the initial Neighbourhood Plan meeting will be held on Monday 2nd February at 6.30pm in Birlingham Village Hall. Andrew Ford, from Wychavon District Council Planning Department, will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of neighbourhood plans and the procedures involved in creating such a plan. He will also answer our questions on the subject.
 
The meeting will be asked to make a recommendation to Birlingham Parish Council, which will decide whether or not to continue the neighbourhood plan process when it next meets on 18th March.
 
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The next ‘Cuppa & Chat’ is on Wednesday 4th February, from 3.00pm to 4.30pm. Come and enjoy tea, coffee and cake in Birlingham Village Hall.
 
For more information, please contact Brenda Fletcher on 01386 750173 or Adrianne Woodward on 01386 750936.
 
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At its meeting on 21st January, Birlingham Parish Council discussed a number of issues, including the following:
  • After advice from Wychavon District Council, the Parish Council budget for 2014/15 has been revised to £5061.00. This gives a Band D Council Tax figure of £30.18 for the year, an increase of 59p (just under 2%).
  • The application by Birlingham Cricket Club for a contribution from the New Homes Bonus to upgrade its facilities at the cricket ground has been approved.
  • The Neighbourhood Plan meeting was confirmed for Monday 2nd February.
  • The annual Litter Pick will take place on Saturday 21st March – more details nearer the time but please book the date now.
Full minutes of the meeting will be available in due course.
 
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As well as the General Election on Thursday 7th May, local elections will be held for Wychavon District Council and Birlingham Parish Council.
The District Council are holding seminars for prospective councillors on 12th February (district councillors) and 19th February (parish councillors). These meetings will be held at 6.15pm in the Civic Centre. If you are interested in attending either of these events, please phone 01386 565437.
 
The Notice of Election will be published on Monday 23rd March and nominations will close on Thursday 9th April.
 
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