Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Author: FVCA

Faster broadband for Wildmoor

Earlier this year, Openreach announced that (almost) all of Bromsgrove will be cabled with Fibre To The Premises (FTTP), as part of the national plan to phase out copper wiring for landline telephones and internet connectivity. 

Fibre brings substantially higher speeds, better reliability, and future-proofs the properties.  (Apparently, the second most popular question that house buyers ask is – how fast is the internet).

As part of the roll-out, most of Fairfield village has been cabled.  Catshill is also being connected, including the properties immediately past the motorway bridge on Wildmoor Lane. 

Sadly, most of Wildmoor was NOT included in the Openreach plan for Bromsgrove.   

At the Sandy Lane end of Wildmoor, a Community Fibre Project (CFP) proposal was put forward last year, in conjunction with Superfast Worcestershire (part of the county council).   This proposal, which was successful, means that grants are being made available from central government and the county council, to fund the costs for Openreach to install FTTP to the properties connected to the Rubery telephone exchange. 

This leaves approximately 70 premises – a mix of commercial and residential – in Third Road, Mill Lane, Swan Lane and Wildmoor Lane, excluded from any scheme.  A CFP proposal for these ‘forgotten’ premises was submitted to Openreach in March, supported by Superfast Worcestershire and by Councillor Shirley Webb. 

The outline costing has now been received from Openreach, and it is now down to the occupiers of the premises to decide if they want FTTP.  This requires a simple commitment to take an FTTP Internet package from ANY Internet Service Provider which offers FTTP, for a 12 month period.  The additional costs (i.e. for FTTP rather than copper-based internet) could be as little as £10 per month.

To obtain the grants, and therefore incur no individual installation costs, requires a certain level of uptake to succeed.  This is the best opportunity for Wildmoor to avoid being left behind as technology evolves!

If you are one of the residents in this group, or have a commercial unit in Wildmoor Farm business park, or on Wildmoor Lane, please contact Peter Hunt (peterhunt988@outlook.com, or 07970745487) for more information.

  • December 2, 2021 by

WhatsApp & Lottery Fraud

WHATSAPP FRAUD

There have been a significant number of reports of Scammers pretending to be a family member or friend on WhatsApp.

This was highlighted earlier this month and the warning is repeated here again this week.

The basic method they use is as follows:

• The suspect will send the victim a message via WhatsApp claiming to be their son/daughter/friend and that they have had to change their number, having lost or damaged their phone

• The Scammer will then say they are now using a new phone number

• As a result of this, the Scammers will claim they are getting in touch in order to borrow money to purchase the new device or pay off a debt.

• After this, the Scammer will give their bank details so a payment can be made to them, with some coming back with further demands for money.

LOTTERY FRAUD

Analysis of reports to Action Fraud by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified a dramatic increase in Advance Fee Lottery Frauds over the last six months.

Over £925,000 was lost by victims during that period. Victims reported losing an average loss of just over £1,500.

70% of victims reported to be aged 50 or over.

Fraudsters will contact the victim in the following way or similar:

• Lottery fraud occurs when criminals use fake messages and calls to convince a person that they have won a lottery or a prize draw

• The victim is then informed that they will need to pay an advance “fee” in order to receive the winnings

• Victims are commonly asked to pay these advance fees by purchasing gift cards, and relaying codes to the Fraudster.

• In some instances, victims have reported being asked for personal and financial information in order to obtain their “winnings”. Some victims reported providing their bank details thinking they would be sent a small payment to verify the account. In reality, criminals use these details to steal the victim’s money.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

• Stop – Taking a moment to stop and think can keep you and your money safe.

• Challenge – Keep your money and information safe from criminals by only purchasing items from authorised sellers and doing your research fully before making a purchase.

• Protect – if you think you’ve fallen for a scam contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

  • December 2, 2021 by

Planning Application – 3 Mount Road

The following planning application is available to view and comment on. Please use this
link to take you to the home page of Public Access
http://publicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/online-applications/ which is the tool for
viewing applications and making comment electronically.


• Click on the link above
• Type in the application number and click, this will take you to the summary page of Public
Access.
• When at the summary page
• To view the documents you will need to click on the tab, then
the .
• To make a comment click on the tab,
• Fill out your details and make your comment and press submit, this will go straight to the
relevant planning officer and be immediately viewable in the comments tab.
• If you have provided an email you can request a confirmation email.

APPLICATION REFERENCE :21/00291/FUL
APPLICATION TYPE:Full Application
DATE ACCEPTED:06.11.2021
LOCATION:3 Mount Road, Fairfield Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 9LN
PROPOSAL:Replacment of garage and out houses with triple car garage.
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:Bournheath Parish
WARD:Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:Nina Chana
TELEPHONE:01527 548241
EMAILnina.chana@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
  • November 15, 2021 by

Be s-careful this Halloween

With Halloween fast approaching in the next couple of weeks, we are issuing some crime prevention advice to keep everybody safe this Halloween!

  • Adults should always accompany young children when trick or treating
  • Please, where possible, only knock on the houses of people you know
  • Keep to well lit areas, carry a torch, wear hi-vis clothing and always remember road safety
  • Eggs and flour can cause damage and considerable distress and can also lead to criminal convictions. Any premises selling these items will be more vigilant and will inform the police.
  • If anyone is displaying the “No trick or treating poster” do not visit the address

Stay safe and be sensible

  • October 23, 2021 by

BELBROUGHTON UNITED CHARITIES TRUST

Registered Charity Number 234374
Belbroughton United Charities is a group of historic charities which provides grants to support poor or elderly residents of Belbroughton and Fairfield. It owns and runs allotments and the orchard at Belbroughton.

The charity is in urgent need of Trustees, a secretary and a treasurer as the present officers are retiring or moving from the area. They are not huge jobs but essential if the charity is going to continue to support the villages.

If you feel able to be involved please contact Rev Wyn Benyon c/o the church office, Belbroughton. Bfcoffice@btconnect.com
  • October 20, 2021 by

Post Office News

Fairfield Post Office closes at the end of this week, Friday 22nd October.

Fairfield Cafe remains OPEN FOR BUSINESS

  • October 18, 2021 by

Pepper Wood Appeal Update

Paul Jarczewski, Woodland Trust Site Manager (West Midlands), says “we are getting quite close to our fundraising target, and my fundraising colleagues seem confident that we will reach this fairly shortly”.“We’re not quite there yet, but overall the appeal has gone extremely well.”
If you would like to donate £10.00 to help double Pepper Wood or would like further information about this project visit http://fvca.org.uk/directory/pepper-wood/
  • October 15, 2021 by

Monthly Social Gatherings – Glad to be back

Relaxed, social gathering on Saturday 2nd October, residents were joined by PC Stone from Bromsgrove Police – our local police officer.

Whilst enjoying cake and coffee/tea, residents highlighted parking issues, were updated on community works, and agreed activities to mark Halloween and Christmas. Thanks to all who attended.

  • October 2, 2021 by

Firearms Survey

With more than 30,000 firearm and shotgun licence holders in the West Mercia Police Force area, please take a few minutes to complete the survey.


The Association of Police & Crime Commissioners want to hear your views on potential changes to the licensing of firearms and shotguns in England and Wales. Their online survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and will remain open for responses until Weds 20 October. https://www.apccs.police.uk/latest-news/have-your-say-on-potential-changes-to-firearms-licensing

  • September 30, 2021 by