Litter Picking + Road Signs Cleaning

Date: Saturday 12^th September

Time: 10.30

Meet: Village Hall

Litter Pick: Equipment provided

Road Signs Cleaning:  Please bring bucket and cloths

Have pride in where you live

Thank You

Saturday 5th September 09.30am – 12.30pm

Arm yourself with shears, secateurs and rakes, we need your help in keeping our village church yard tidy.

Stop by anytime during the morning, whether you can give 30 minutes or a couple of hours, your help in keeping our village church yard tidy will be greatly appreciated.

The first of our Autumn/Winter talks will be on Wednesday 7 October, during The Wednesday Social, 1.30pm – 3.30pm (the talk starts 2.00pm). Our guest speaker will be Freddy Naftel, the subject of his talk: Great Film Music: Hollywood and Beyond. Our talks are FREE to attend and are open to everyone, wherever you live.

Josh O’Connor leads the cast in this searing revival of Clifford Odets’ knockout American classic, directed by Sam Yates.

Coming to cinemas worldwide from 5 November, we will be screening this NT Live production, recorded live at the Almeida Theatre, on 18 November

https://bromsgrovearts.org.uk/event/golden-boy/

Information boards have been installed to welcome visitors to the Fairfield Forest, explaining the different approaches to creating this new forest.

Visitors are asked to stick to the newly created paths and to be mindful that in some areas sheep are grazing.

Despite the poor growing season, standards remained high at this year’s Produce Show, held on Saturday 8 August. Organised by our local Women’s Institute, this annual event remains a highpoint in our village calendar. Huge thanks to the W.I. team, led by Ilse, for pulling off another fantastic show.

Also thanks to everyone that entered, and to all supporters & volunteers.

Below is a short (1 min 15 secs) video of entries and winners (which includes non-W.I. members).

This year’s overall winner was Maggie Mason.

See you next year.

This year Fairfield will once again recreate a neighbourhood Advent Calendar.

What is a Village Advent Calendar?

On a given date, something festive is placed in the window (or garden) of a property in Fairfield, that can be viewed by people passing by.  The display staying in place until the end of Christmas day.  Examples of displays are: Christmas wreaths, The whole Nativity Scene, Candles, Father Christmas, Twelves Days of Christmas, Santa & Rudolf in the snow, Winter tree wonderland, and so on.

How can I take part?

Email clare@vintdunlop.co.uk with your address details, your preferred “unveil” date (1st to 24th December) and an outline of your display. We will then confirm your calendar “unveil” date.

For the Advent Calendar to work, displays must not be unveiled until the stated “unveil” date.

Then, during December, residents and visitors can wander around the village, enjoying the festive displays.  We will publish a map of properties taking part in late November, this can be downloaded from the village website’s Festive Fairfield page Festive Fairfield – Fairfield Village Community Association (fvca.org.uk), a map will also get posted on the village hall (outside) noticeboard.

If you visit a display, take a photo and share on our twitter feed @Fairfield_Info or email it to us admin@fvca.org.uk

If you are looking for inspiration, checkout some of the previous displays.

This is such a lovely way to celebrate the lead up to Christmas Day in the village. 

Litter Picking + Road Signs Cleaning

Date: Saturday 12^th September

Time: 10.30

Meet: Village Hall

Litter Pick: Equipment provided

Road Signs Cleaning:  Please bring bucket and cloths

Have pride in where you live

Thank You

Saturday 5th September

Arm yourself with shears, secateurs and rakes, we need your help in keeping our village church yard tidy.

Stop by anytime during the morning, whether you can give 30 minutes or a couple of hours, your help in keeping our village church yard tidy will be greatly appreciated.

On 3rd July 2026, the North Worcestershire Water Management team and the Natural Flood Management Officer from Worcestershire County Council were joined by The Woodland Trust volunteers and the site manager for Pepper Wood to help create leaky dams to reduce flood risk.

During the morning, 7 leaky dam structures were built within a tributary of the Hockley Brook within Pepper Wood.

These structures are designed to allow base-flow to pass beneath, and during heavy rainfall will slow the flow and cause water to build upstream where it can safely spill out of bank into the woodland area; this will reduce the amount of water that reaches Dordale Road where it creates a flooding hazard.

Residents, businesses, and community organisations are being invited to share their views on how their communities should be represented in the future.

Bromsgrove District Council has launched an early engagement exercise to gather views on local governance, particularly in areas that do not currently have a parish or town council.

With Local Government Reorganisation expected to change how local government operates, the council is seeking feedback on how decisions affecting local areas should be made in future, and whether further work – including a formal Community Governance Review (CGR) – should be considered.

This engagement is about gathering views only. No decisions have been made.

The survey asks for views on:

·      How people currently feel represented locally

·      How important local or neighbourhood-level decision making is

·      Possible future approaches to local governance

·      Whether a formal review of governance arrangements should be explored

Darren Whitney, Electoral Services Manager, said:“Local government is expected to change soon, so this is an important time to understand what communities want in the future.

“That’s why we are asking residents, businesses and organisations to share their views now so we can understand whether there is appetite to explore different ways of representing local communities.”

The survey is open until 23:59 on 9 August 2026 and is available together with more information at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/local-futures. For further support please contact the council’s Electoral Services team on 01527 881421.

Another brilliant Foodie Fairfield last Saturday, with, as always, a great atmosphere.

We were joined by two new stalls, The Rushock Flower Farmer & Wildmoos Dairy, who were pleased with their first visit to our community initiative, supporting artisan & local food producers.

Due to the rain, Wally Wombat was unable to perform his show in front of the village hall, he did meet the children inside the hall, they were happy to see him, and he gave them duelling swords modelled out of balloons.

Huge thanks to all our supporters, customers, traders (Cooksey Quality Meats, Nicola Cooks, Crafted Preserves, Fruitfields, The Secret Garden, Anil Samosas, The Rushock Flower Farmer, Wildmoos Dairy plus bread from Meadow Mill Bakery), and volunteers).

Our community shop will be back open on Wednesday (10 June) 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

Foodie Fairfield will be back 4th July, with a return of ‘Ukes on the Edge’ raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Giant Hogweed has, once again, been spotted growing on the side of Sandy Lane, near the entrance to Wildmoor Quarry. Bromsgrove District Council have been notified.

Giant hogweed poses significant health risks due to its toxic sap, which can cause phytophotodermatitis—a severe skin reaction that occurs when the sap comes into contact with skin and is then exposed to sunlight. Symptoms can include severe burns, blistering, and long-lasting skin discoloration.

Two Top Performances from the Midland Concert Orchestra & Guests

Over the weekend of 9th – 10th May, the Village Hall hosted THE BLITZ BALL, with music from the Midland Concert Orchestra and their guests; on Saturday vocalist Keith Phillips & compere Peter Tomlinson, and on Sunday a trio of vocalists THE DC3s with navigation of the evening by Patrick Murphy.

Feedback from people leaving the Village Hall and on social media has been very complementary; the two evenings did not disappoint.

The Midland Concert Orchestra will be back on Sunday 13 December with a festive concert.

Sounds like the start of a joke, but it isn’t.

A brilliant, uplifting, Rogation Service was held on Sunday 10 May, followed by our Community Spring & Share Lunch, with so much food that people will not need to eat for the next few days.

We went outside and blessed the fields & livestock, wishing our farmers a good harvest later in the year, and back in the hall there was lots of chatter.

Joining us were two week old lambs, which made the service interesting with their bleating (keeping people laughing) and we were also joined by the Bishop of Church of England Diocese of Worcester , Bishop Hugh, who took time to speak to everyone present, and he enjoyed the warmth he received from our community.

Some people came just to see the lambs, some just for lunch and others attended both events. It was nice to see people, young and not so young, coming together to keep this annual event alive.

To remind Bishop Hugh of his visit to our community, he was give one of our Fairfield Coffee Mugs.

Join the Fairbourne Dodders for an evening of laughter, drama, and brilliant local talent as they bring you THREE plays in one unforgettable night.

There are two performances, 5th & 6th June, both starting at 7.30pm.

There will be a Licensed bar also selling Light snacks

A perfect night out with friends and family

Come along, take your seat, and support your local drama group!

https://ticketlab.app/series/2649

The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, will be joining us on Sunday for our rogation service and community lunch at Fairfield Village Hall!  

Do please join us and give Bishop Hugh a warm welcome to our community.   The short family service is at 11.15am, hopefully, with lambs in attendance, followed by our annual Bring & Share Lunch at 12.15pm; you do not have to attend both.  

The wildflower zone on the Recreation Ground around the War Memorial Orchard is coming along nicely, amongst the wildflowers that are growing are Oxeye Daisies and Common Knapweed, all good for our pollinators.

What wildflowers can you find growing in the zone?

Will You Help Keep This Village Tradition Alive?

Rogation comes from the Latin “rogare” which means to ask. And so, on Rogation Sunday we ask God’s blessing for the seed, for the soil, for those who labour in the fields and for all of God’s creation . . . this includes you.

Please join us on Sunday 10 May (11.15am) as we bless the fields, animals and farmers, and ask that they have a good harvest later in the year. There will be some uplifting songs and some bleating lambs (come along and stroke them but then wash your hands afterwards).

Following the service, at noon, there will be our annual Spring Bring & Share lunch; bring a plate of something, or a bowl or a packet of crisps, and let’s enjoy each other’s company.

You don’t have to attend both, it would be nice to see you at the service or lunch, please help keep this rural tradition alive.

Which Tree Bears Which Fruit?

Thanks to match funding from our County Councillor’s Divisional Fund, we have been able to buy an information lectern that is now sited near the Millennium Garden. The lectern, which was installed by volunteers Nick & Paul, contains a plan of the Coronation & War Memorial Orchards and details the trees that have been planted.  The plan was produced with the support of Wade Muggleton at Worcestershire County Council.

Step back in time (and an opportunity to dress up) on 9 & 10 May and  Swing with Glen Miller and friends for a night of glamour and celebration with  the fabulous Midland Concert Orchestra at the 1940s Blitz  Ball.https://bromsgrovearts.org.uk/events/

With hit songs from the 1950s to present day, THE PRONOUNCED provided non-stop entertainment when they took to the stage at the Village Hall on Saturday 18 April.  

Their THROUGH THE DECADES SHOW included songs from Chuck Berry, Dusty Springfield, The Beetles, Abba, Donna Summer, Elton John, Guns & Roses, Robbie Williams, Dolly Parton, Mark Ronson, Oasis and many more artists.  The show included humour, props, hats, a costume change, and many people taking to the dance floor.  

Everyone left the building saying how good the band was and asking if we will have them back; they will be returning on Saturday 22nd May 2027.

Videos from the show can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fairfieldinformation

The Pronounced before the show enjoying the view from the Village Hall car park

The Coronation Orchard is starting to bloom, and looks lovely.  Like last year, the blooms will need to be picked before they turn into applets, this allows the trees to retain energy and grow stronger; this may be the last year we have to do this, next year we may be able to let the apples form.   Thanks you Carol H for the photos.