Author: FVCA

In response to a request from a group of residents, the Community Association gathered responses requesting a Community Governance Review.

The number of responses requesting a Community Governance Review did not achieve the required number of responses and have now been shredded.

Even though responses did not achieve the threshold, it was clear, from the number of responses received, that there are residents who wish that a review to take place.

Earlier today (Monday 27 January 2025) residents and children from Fairfield First School & Fairfield Preschool came together to plant the Coronation Orchard on the Recreation Ground. Huge thanks to everybody for giving up their time.

This project has been made possible thanks to support received from Worcestershire Council and our Divisional County Councillor, Shirley Webb, plus permission to use the Recreation Ground from Belbroughton & Fairfield Parish Council.

In the autumn, the Community Association will be calling on volunteers to help plant daffodil and snowdrop bulbs amongst the orchard trees, and eventually an information board will be erected giving details of each fruits tree and what each fruit can be used for, e.g. a culinary apple or a dessert apple.

The Community Association would also like to thank ACERTREES, who are based in the village, for providing beech chippings that have been used as mulch.

Are you a dog owner and do you care about their welfare?

Think about what could happen to you and your dog, if it is allowed to be loose around livestock.

West Mercia Police have recently had a number of reports of livestock worrying across North Worcestershire.

Livestock worrying is when loose dogs chase or attack farmed animals and it is a serious problem. Even well-behaved dogs can exhibit predatory behaviour around livestock like sheep or cows. This behaviour can cause the animals to become extremely stressed or injured, and can be fatal.

Livestock worrying isn’t just a risk to animal welfare; it causes significant distress and financial losses to farmers.

Responsible dog ownership is essential in preventing livestock worrying. You should always keep your dog under control and on a lead when around livestock, even if you believe your dog is well trained. This shouldn’t just be considered when out and about with your dogs, you should also remember to ensure that your property or boundaries are secure enough to prevent your dogs escaping and venturing into agricultural land.

As well as an owner being prosecuted for an offence, it is worth remembering that a farmer does have a legal right to shoot a dog in order to protect their property. None of us would like this to happen.

Further information about how to safely enjoy the countryside can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code-advice-for-countryside-visitors

A resident has informed us that they had a nasty encounter this morning with a fast driving vehicle on the narrow part of Claypit Lane, the driver failed to slow down and the residents had to squeeze into the hedge, waving to him to slow down. The resident said “thank heaven I didn’t have a child or dog with me. Dread to think what would have happened if I was on a horse”.

Other residents have also reported similar incidents, such as on Swan Lane.

Unfortunately, according to studies, most drivers who speed or drive at an inappropriate speed are local or regular use a specific road; for a large portion of Claypit Lane it’s the National Speed Limit, which some people see as a target, rather than drive at a speed that takes into consideration the road condition, environment and potential hazards, such as walkers.

Some motorists want other motorists to slow down, but not them, because they are “good drivers”, and they complain about the enforcement van, but their attitude changes when someone they know gets killed.

The Albrighton & Woodland held a News Years Day hunt, which included horses and hounds crossing land in our area and entering Pepper Wood, a member of the hunt group claiming that they have had landowners permission.

The Woodland Trust have not given any permission for the hunt to access their land (horses are permitted to use the bridal path), at the least two other landowners have said that they have not given permission, it is unknown whether other landowners have given consent or were aware that the hunt was taking place in the area.

Reports have been received from people visiting Pepper Wood being distressed when faced with a group of horse riders and a pack of hounds, and several people have reported a quad bike driving fast down the bridal path, the rider and his passenger, following the hunt.

The police have been made aware.

If you encountered the hunt in Pepper Wood, please report your sighting to enquiries@woodlandtrust.org.uk; any photos/videos you have would be appreciated.

If you felt threatened or intimidated, please share your experience by reporting to the police https://www.westmercia.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

A new planter has been made by the Pepper Wood volunteers, using a felled Oak tree, and has been sited next to the Yew Tree Lane junction bench.

The planter, which has been purchased by the Community Association, with support of County Councillor Shirley Webb’s Divisional Fund, will be looked after by community volunteers.

On New Years Eve, volunteers Carol and Geoff added compost and plants, and it is going to look Blooming Lovely.

Invitation for landowners and farmers – Natural Flood Management in Bournheath and Fairfield

Wednesday 11th December 2024, 09:30—11:30, Bournheath Community Centre, Claypit Lane.

If you own land within the Elmbridge Brook catchment (Bournheath and Fairfield areas), please join us for a meeting to discuss how Natural Flood Management (NFM) techniques could be used locally to reduce flood risk.

Officers from Worcestershire County Council & North Worcestershire Water Management will share experiences of NFM projects elsewhere in the County, and will ask you to annotate maps with areas known to flood or where water often flows off land, and if you know of areas where you think water could be stored for short periods of time.

Also present will be Philippa, a Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer from Natural England. CSF offers free, confidential advice to help manage land productively and sustainably including measures to look after soils – a precious and valuable resource. Taking steps to increase sustainable management practises to prevent both soil erosion and nutrient losses from fields is also key in protecting natural ecosystems. CSF works with farmers and partners across England to produce food in a way that protects water, air and soil, using schemes such as Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 11th December.

On behalf of:

– Bournheath Parish Council,

– Worcestershire County Council

– North Worcestershire Water Management

– Catchment Sensitive Farming