The spring and summer of 2016 are shaping up to be exciting times for Village residents, with events galore being planned across the area.
First up is the annual Alvechurch Picnic in the Park on Sunday May 1, which this year is going all retro with a Shakespearean theme.
Organisers hope attendees will get into the spirit of things by dressing up, and have even provided some suggestions, such as fairies (Oberon and Titiana), witches (Macbeth), Jester, Romeo and Juliet, Friar (Romeo and Juliet), wizards (Prospero), or Antony and Cleopatra (Roman and Egyptian theme).
There’s also a full line-up of entertainment with performances from local dance, music and performing arts groups – plus new stalls and activities around The Meadows.
Over in Blackwell, villagers will be invited to “roll up, roll up” for this year’s circus-themed Blackwell Festival, taking place on Sunday June 18 in the field on St Catherine’s Road.
As in previous years, the event will offer free fun and games for all the family from noon to 5pm, with plenty of room to set up your own picnic.
The daytime activities will be followed by a BBQ at Blackwell Club from 5.30pm, with evening entertainment by “Elvis”.
Look out for more news at https://www.facebook.com/BlackwellFestival
Lickey has also decided to get in on the act this year by holding a Lickey Festival, scheduled for June 12 and taking place in and around the Trinity Centre – more details in a future issue.
After last year’s highly successful Barnt Green Outdoor Cinema weekend, the event has been expanded for 2016 into the Barnt Green Weekender.
Taking place on September 9 and 10, it’s described as “a festival where community, family and friends come together to enjoy quality entertainment in the great outdoors.”
Promised so far are live music, kids’ entertainment, gourmet street food, craft beers and cocktails, as well as the open-air cinema.
Plans are also in progress for the possible revival of Alvechurch Alight!, which has not taken place since 2006.
A small group of former and new committee members are hoping to organise a lantern procession and firework display on the third weekend in September, with lantern-making workshops at the Village Hall on the two preceding weekends.
The committee has been exploring different avenues to obtain the necessary funding, and was due to make a final decision on holding the event as The Village went to press.