Community

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.

Committee Member (4 meetings a year, scrutinising wat we are doing, putting forward ideas and helping to run events)

Litter picking (2nd Saturday in each month, 10.30am – 11.30am)

Foodie Fairfield (first Saturday in each month, 9.00am – 12noon)

• Serving in the Café
• Helping on the bread stall
• Putting out tables (Friday evening 8.40pm – 9.15pm)
• Tidying the Hall after the event

Bromsgrove Arts/Fairfield Flicks (various dates)

• Putting out table & chairs
• Helping front of house/serving behind the bar

Email: admin@fvca.org.uk for further details

The National Farmers Union encourages farmers and members of the public to report incidences of fly-tipping to the local authority, even when fly-tipping occurs on private land; the local authority should be informed so that the statistics reflect the scale of the issue more accurately.

https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/residents/my-place/street-cleaning/fly-tipping

On Wednesday 25 March 14 people enjoyed the Association’s Community Challenge (included One Foot in the Grave & Disney) and short AGM, celebrating Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge.

Once again, the numbers attending this annual event was disappointing and can be very deflating for the volunteers that help make our community a brilliant place to live.  

A committee was formed for the year ahead, if you would like to be part of this steering group – meet 3 or 4 times a year – email chair@fvca.org.uk.

PLEASE keep YOUR community alive, we need YOU.

Draft minutes, for last night’s meeting, have been prepared, to read CLICK HERE

Following consultation with neighbouring local authorities, there is now a new proposed boundary for 8 Hills. This revised area includes parts of Dudley, Birmingham and Solihull, covering approximately 58 square miles.

The project to establish the 8 Hills Regional Park is being led by the National Trust, with the support of various stakeholders, including Fairfield Village Community Association, representing Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge.

As part of the project a pipeline of footpaths are being created and we would like to hear your suggestions, email chair@fvca.org.uk. It is hoped, working with local landowners, permissive footpaths can be created, with the landowner receiving a Payment for Access, funded by Cotswold Outdoors; landowners being fairly compensated based on the number of people using the path, ensuring that both the community and the landowner benefit from improved access to nature. Cotswold Outdoor has produced a short film for their social media channels, highlighting their role in the Payments for Access paths and how their sponsorship is being used: CLICK HERE

As an active partner in ReNEW, the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire, we look forward to collaborative working with 8 Hills community and local creatives to develop a cultural identity for the 8 Hills Regional Park which celebrates local people’s connectedness to the landscape. This will inform the production of a public art gateway that will act as the first physical marker for access to the regional park. Once further information is known we look forward to people in our community being part of this initiative.

If we organised another BASIC EMERGENCY FIRST AID course, on a Wednesday evening, 6pm – 10pm, with a course cost, to be confirmed, likely £55.00 to £65.00, would this be of interest to you? 

If yes, which of these dates would best 15th July, 22nd July, 26th August? 

Please email admin@fvca.org.uk to register your interest and your preferred date(s).

Accidents do happen…but…to leave the soiled hand towel and paper towels next to the Wood Lane bench, not far from a dog waste bin (which is in sight), words fail us or cannot be repeated. Our volunteers should not be clearing this mess.

A new dog waste bin has been sited in the Swan Inn car park, thanks to the Swan Inn and the Community Association.

On Saturday, a couple of Wildmoor Wombles went out with the Community Association’s litter picking sticks and filled 8 bags of rubbish; litter picked up from roads in the Wildmoor area. Huge thanks to these fantastic volunteers.

In recent months there has been a increase in dog faeces being left in fields that are used by livestock, with a very noticeable rise in the fields leading to the Fairfield Forest, especially in the field from Pepperwood Close.

Dog faeces can pose significant risks to livestock, particularly when they are contaminated with infectious sporocysts. These sporocysts can cause serious health issues in cattle, sheep, and other livestock, leading to conditions such as fever, anorexia, and even death. The spread of neosporosis, a disease caused by these sporocysts, can result in abortions and other health problems for affected animals. To prevent these risks, it is crucial to ensure that dogs are kept under control and that their faeces are properly managed.

To prevent illness and abortions, please pick up and bag dog mess, and carry with you until you reach a waste bin.

Huge thanks to all our fantastic supporters over the past 12 months.

2025 has been another good year for the Community Association, with monthly Foodie Fairfield, over 80 BARTS events, Wednesday socials, including table tennis, village picnic, heritage event, litter picks, maintaining the Yew Tree Lane planter, maintaining the area around the Wood Lane bench, producing & distributing a quarterly newsletter, a full Festive Fairfield programme, planting the Coronation Orchard and spring bulbs, plus part funding the information lectern, which will be installed next year, purchasing shelving for the shop, procuring a library trolley (Book Swap goes live in January), and much more. Unfortunately, during the summer the Dining Group ended, with there being no coordinator, perhaps, one day, this initiative will be resurrected.

People not from Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge often comment how active and vibrant our community is. For a small community – just over 400 dwellings – we do punch above our weight.

All this doesn’t just happen; it can only happen with a team of amazing volunteers, and to each and every volunteer, thank you.

We would like to wish you and those that you love all the very best this Christmastide; may the spirit if Christmas bring you great joy and may 2026 be kind to you all.

With traditional Christmas carols, Festive songs and entertaining bell ringing, a wonderful Christmas Carol Service was held on Sunday 14 December, followed by an enjoyable social afterwards. Thanks to residents, friends of our Community and the Clent Bell Ringers for coming.

With band members only 15 years of age, Dead Spirit Music led last ROCK AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE on Wednesday 17 December, with vocal support from the audience.

Huge thanks to everyone who came to our Festive Fairfield event. We hope you enjoyed the evening.

With tunes from the Great American Songbook, a sprinkling of festive songs and, at the end of the show, an unexpected audience participation, singing and dancing’s to New York, New York (written by John Kander and Fred Ebb and popularized by Frank Sinatra), the Midland Concert Orchestra’s A Hint of Christmas, held on Sunday 30 November, did not disappoint.

Huge thanks to the very talented Midland Concert Orchestra and to our wonderful audience.

As the Cyclamen flowers fade away, the Pansies start to bloom in the Community planter (Yew Tree Lane – Stourbridge Road junction), maintained by dedicated volunteers, thank you

We need YOU to be part of our Nativity on Christmas Eve, 4pm in the Village Hall.  16 adults are needed to fill the various parts, our readthrough will be on Thursday 11th December 7pm – 7.30pm in St. Mark’s (wrap up warm, there’s no heating).  Please help bring joy to the season. There’s no need to memorise the script.

On Sunday 9th November 2025, our community gathered at the War Memorial to remember those members of the armed forces and civilians who died in service of our nation. Wreaths were laid by the Parish Council, Community Association, Women’s Institute & Fairfield First School.

Thank you to everyone who came, the collection raised £145.05, which will be donated to the Royal British Legion.

LUXlife magazine applauds the winners of this year’s Hospitality Awards, which includes Bromsgrove Arts, winning best community arts venue in Worcestershire.

TheLUXlife Hospitality Awards recognise businesses and individuals going above and beyond for their clients, customers, and guests in the hospitality industry, and the team at LUXlife is proud to announce the tenth instalment of this esteemed programme.

Awarded with Best Historical Slovenian Walking Tours Provider 2025, The Crow’s Flight graces the cover of this year’s Hospitality Awards’ magazine. It’s LUXlife’s pleasure to applaud The Crow’s Flight for its dedication, especially because “true luxury begins with human connection”. Bringing people together and helping them to create memories to last a lifetime, through meaningful connection and adventure, this award-winning tour provider continues to elevate what it means to be part of the hospitality industry.

Of course, LUXlife is delighted to announce all of this year’s successful businesses, and the individuals behind them, as the hospitality industry continues to thrive. From restaurants to wineries, travel services to yacht catering experiences, and so much more, the 2025 programme is varied, influential, and a milestone for both the awardees and LUXlife.

Awards Coordinator Melissa Bramall commented on the winners within 2025’s Hospitality Awards: “Our commitment to recognising and rewarding businesses for their craft is something that remains unwavering. It is always a delight to be part of a team dedicated to acknowledging excellence and providing opportunities for that excellence to be showcased, and I want to congratulate our winners again for their hard work.”

Bromsgrove Arts is a Fairfield Village Community Association initiative, a spokesperson for the Community Association said:  “We are bowled over with winning this award, which recognises the fantastic service our volunteers deliver to enable us to bring people together and to reduce loneliness & social isolation by using cinematic and performing arts; it is they, along with all our audience supporters, that make our Bromsgrove Arts initiative what it is today, a warm, welcoming community arts initiative.”

To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated establishments that have been selected for them, please visit https://lux-life.digital/lux_awards/global-hospitality-awards/ where you can view the winners supplement and full winners list.

https://lux-life.digital/winners/fairfield-village-community-association-bromsgrove-arts-fairfield-flicks

Bromsgrove Arts

Fairfield Village Community Association launched Bromsgrove Arts (BARTS) in 2019, a Community Entertainment initiative, based at Fairfield Village Hall (B61 9LZ), that use cinematic and live performing arts to bring people together and to reduce loneliness & social isolation.  The BARTS programme is varied, and includes National Theatre Live, Andre Rieu, and movie screenings, and has become a popular venue giving quality live music and small-scale professional touring drama a platform to shine.

Delivered by a team of volunteers, the BARTS team aim to keep ticket & bar prices affordable, and there is no booking fee when purchasing tickets online.

For information and advanced tickets for all events visit www.bromsgrovearts.org.uk

On Thursday 4th September, residents from our community joined the residents of Belbroughton and Chaddesley Corbet to welcome our new priest Rev. Chloë Hewett.

The service was led by Bishop Martin Gorick (Bishop of Dudley & Acting Bishop of Worcester) and supported by the Archdeacon of Worcester (Mark Badger) with clergy from across the West Midlands also in attendance.

The Licencing and Installation service was held in a packed Holy Trinity Church, which was also had a sizable number of people from church where Chloë undertook her training. Following the formal service everyone enjoyed a buffet supper at Belbroughton Church Hall, the food kindly provided by volunteers from all three churches in the group.

Welcome Chloë to Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge.

Residents and local farmers came together on Sunday 12th October for our village Harvest Festival service. Despite the low numbers supporting this annual village event, the generosity of those people attending was fantastic, with several boxes of food being donated to Dodford Children’s Farm and a similar number to Bromsgrove’s Basement Project. The collection was shared with The Royal Countryside Fund, which supports farmers and rural community, the fund receiving £55.00.

Huge thanks for all your kind donations, and to the team that decorated the church, it looked amazing.

This year’s Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday 9th November, a short act of remembrance will be held at the village war memorial, starting 10.50am.

Over the coming weeks large Poppies will be placed around the village by a group of fantastic volunteers: Ian, Dannii, Paula, Bryn, Dave and Sharon. These poppies have been purchased from the Royal British Legion, funded by the Community Association. They will hopefully symbolise our community’s collective remembrance of those people who died in time of war.

Individuals may wish to buy their own large Poppy for their property; each poppy comes supplied with two nylon cable ties so it can be secured to multiple items; the nylon ties can be recycled with your plastic waste. The poppy can be used both inside, like in your window, and also outdoors, so that you can display your poppy with pride. The poppy measures 40cm (H) x 36cm (W) (widest part). All money raised will go to the Royal British Legion.

We will have a few poppies left over after decorating the village. If you would like to buy one of these, please email admin@fvca.org.uk