Author: FVCA

It’s that time of the year when we again ask people to refrain from setting off fireworks; we are a rural area with livestock, horses as well as pets, the sound of the bangs and flash of light scare them, with some so scared that they injury themselves or, as in the case a few years ago, the shock kills them. PLEASE go to an organised event.

Not in Fairfield, but nearby, someone was letting off fireworks over the weekend at their property, scaring nearby livestock and horses. In addition to the distress it causes animals, a hot rocket tube landing on straw/hay being stored in in an unenclosed barn could be devastating, plus the discarded tubes litter our beautiful countryside. PLEASE speak to your neighbours and help us educate residents to refrain from setting off fireworks due to the potential harm as we are a rural/agricultural area. Thank you.

This year’s service will be on Sunday 8 November, starting at 10:50am.  The service usually lasts 20 minutes

We need your help from 10:30am.  Volunteers are needed:

• Order of Service & Collection Bucket (2 people needed)
• Wreath Marshall

These jobs are very easy:

Order of Service & Collection Bucket (2 people needed)

To hand out order of service to people attending our act of remembrance and then act a collection point at the end of the service.  Also, to carry a collection bucket, which we hope will receive donations for the Royal British Legion.

Wreath Marshall (could be combined with the above)

The Wreath Marshall stands near the war memorial, on the Stourbridge Road side, acting as the gathering point for people laying wreaths. At the appropriate point during the service, the people lay the wreaths, one by one; step forward, place wreath at the foot of the war memorial, take a step back and bow.  The order that wreaths are laid are:

• Parish Council
• Community Association
• Uniformed Services (Police)
• Others (usually:  Women’s Institute & School)

Volunteers have been found for all the other roles.  

Please help us, email chair@fvca.org.uk

With uplifting songs plus thoughtful and funny poems our community’s celebration of this year’s harvest was enjoyed on Sunday 11 October by those people present, 23 adults and one child.

With contributions from local farmers and food producers (Glovers Meadow Farm, New Barn Farm & Pumpkin Paradise), and generous gifts from residents we were able to raise £100 for Farming Community Network, £51 for St. Mark’s and we were able to give Dodford Children’s Farm food for their visiting children/families, and feed for their animals.

Thanks to everyone for their kind offerings, to Margaret Herbert (Farming Community Network) for a very interesting presentation, and to Corrine, Anne & Team for the fantastic displays, showcasing farming and autumn countryside.  Thanks also to Kevin, Pam & Trevor for taking the donated food & feed to Dodford Children’s Farm.THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK is a voluntary organisation & charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community.   If you are a farmer/member of our farming community, and are struggling, need to offload to another farmer, give them a call, telephone 03000 111 999. For further information visit https://fcn.org.uk/

This year we have seen the devastation of fires on land, machinery, livestock, homes and other property in nearby areas. We want to avoid that happening here, in Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge, and if it does, to be prepared and have a response, whether that be in response to a fire, gas leak or something else.

That is why we are developing an Emergency Plan, details in our Winter Newsletter. Residents and stakeholders will be invited to help write the plan, identifying risks and solutions, and there will be a community meeting early next year, which we hope you will support. The plan will conform to the Local Authority plan and could include shelter, food & refreshments, and more.

Our annual Remembrance Service will be on Sunday 8 November 10:50am at the War Memorial followed by refreshments in the Village Hall; it is a short act of remembrance, which you are invited to attend.

Large poppies are being displayed across our community, funded by the Community Association, huge thanks to Ian and his team for putting up the poppies.