There is still time to buy tickets for this Saturday’s Musical Moments concert at St James’s Church – full details below.
 
In this issue:
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1. Remembrance Services, Friday 11th & Sunday 13th November
 
A reminder that there will be a short Service of Remembrance on Friday 11th November at Birlingham War Memorial, during which a wreath will be laid. The service starts at 10.45am and will be followed by refreshments in the Church.
 
On Remembrance Sunday, 13th November,  there will be a Remembrance Service with Communion in St James’s Church, beginning at 10.30am, with two minutes’ silence at 11.00am.
 
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Musical Moments is an evening of relaxed entertainment by a wide range of invited musicians, actors and poets. The concert takes place at St. James's Church this Saturday 6.00pm. The main concert will be followed by easy listening to Up Beat in Birlingham Village Hall while you enjoy a light supper provided by village residents.
 
Tickets are £5 each (no concessions) and are available from either Marian Kirkland (01386 750570) or Angela Fitch (01386 751682). All profits go towards funding the suggested improvements to our church.
 
A calendar for 2017 is also available showing items in and around the village through the seasons. These can be obtained from members of the Parochial Church Council and are priced at £5 each. All proceeds will go to church funds.
 
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The next meeting of Birlingham Parish Council takes place on Wednesday 16th November at 7.00pm in Birlingham Village Hall. Among other items on the agenda, there will be a discussion about traffic and speeding, and an update on the Village Design Statement. During the meeting there is an opportunity to express your views on local issues, so please come along.
 
The agenda for the meeting is available at www.birlingham.org/pc_info/pc_agenda_2016-11-16.pdf and the draft minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting on 21st September can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/pc_info/pc_minutes_2016-09-21.pdf.
 
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Maxine Cook writes:
A big thank you from the Jubilee Committee to everyone who either entered or supported the Halloween Pram Race on Sunday 30th October.
 
Special thanks to Will and Zoe for donating the meal for two at the Swan Inn, Basil Barke for being the M.C., Clare Kew for doing ‘Guess the weight of the pumpkin’, Carl Brassington for road signs, all of the road stewards, Dan the Man helping with the BBQ, Paula Aston for selling the raffle tickets, Gemma and John for all their generous help and Robert Bryant for his mini disco.
 
The winners were:
The Children’s Pram Race – Countess Vampire Georgina and William Skeleton Cook
The Adult Pram Race – Count Dracula Salt and Mini Countess Salt
Best Adult Fancy Dress – David Frankenstein Kew
Best Child’s Fancy Dress – Clara Zombie Salt
 
The children and their enthusiasm with the Halloween Trail was lovely! All children had sweetie prizes for taking part. The trickiest questions were how many pews are in the church and what type of tree is on the village green. Thanks to Mick Sherwood for putting the questions together.
 
Once again, many thanks to everyone!
 
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The Parish Council has been asked to remind everyone that it’s the time of year for pruning shrubs and trees, particularly those that overhang the public highway. The owner or occupier of a property has a legal responsibility to ensure that the public highway adjacent to a property is not obstructed by vegetation from their property. Local Authorities also have a legal duty to ensure that public highways are unobstructed, so usually inspect roads regularly and often receive complaints from members of the general public.
 
The public highway is defined by law as consisting of any verge, footway, carriageway, bridleway or footpath that is maintained at public expense and over which the public has a right of way.
 
When Local Authorities become aware of such obstructions, they will usually advise the property owner or occupier of the problem. They may sometimes raise the issue with an owner/occupier even if the vegetation only overhangs the pavement/roadway by a small amount.
If the owner/occupier does not take corrective action within a reasonable time, the Local Authority can issue a formal notice for the work to be undertaken and, if that is ignored, they can do the work and charge the owner/occupier.
 
So please check your hedges and if any are starting to obstruct roads, verges or public footpaths, cut them back!
 
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Sophie Pryce, Reconnections Project Manager at Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire, writes:
 
Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire Reconnections Programme: Are you or do you know someone who might be feeling lonely?
 
We can all feel lonely from time to time, even when surrounded by people and activity. With help, loneliness can be something that you leave behind. With support to improve your mood, rebuild your confidence and get you back on track, you can start to enjoy life again.
 
Reconnections is a service that's already helping people all over Worcestershire. We offer friendly, practical and emotional support to those who feel lonely or isolated, bringing the fun back into life.  We also offer volunteering opportunities for those who want to help others. It’s a great way to get to know people and give something back to your community.
 
If you know someone who might benefit from our service, please get in touch. If you'd like to help us to support people when loneliness affects them, we'd love to hear from you too.
 
Call us on 01905 740954 or email reconnections@ageukhw.org.uk.
 
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The following planning application has been received by the Parish Council:
  • The Shambles, Church Street: Single storey extension to front (Case No. 16/02396). Awaiting decision by Wychavon District Council. (Consultation period ends on 2nd December.) Full details can be viewed on the Wychavon DC website at www.e-wychavon.org.uk/pl/pl.exe?cs=16/02396.
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