Cheques to stay

I very much welcome the news that the UK Payments Council has reversed its foolish and self-interested decision to scrap cheques. It is to be hoped that this decision is adhered to in spirit as well as letter and that the role of the cheque is not further eroded.

Being able to pay by cheque is especially important for older people, community groups and small businesses as they would have known had they been in touch - or cared.
Cheques, originating some 350 years ago, remain a popular and reliable way to pay bills or receive sums of money for tens of thousands of people in Birmingham and millions more throughout the country. In fact around 1.1 billion transactions were made by cheque last year alone.
The U turn by the Payments Council marks a step in the right direction but there is so much more that needs to be done - or undone - before many people, especially the elderly and small savers, can begin to trust the banks again in the way that they did for the late lamented Birmingham Municipal Bank.

The Brum Reapers!

Keep your eyes peeled for the ‘Brum Reapers’ in the Hall Green area. If you spot a group of folks with scythes, it is not the apocalypse; but the volunteers from SEAT (Sarehole Environmental Acton Team) who were awarded funding to buy scythes and a days training in their use and maintenance.
They are helping to help maintain the meadows in the area in a more environmentally friendly way while getting some Tai Chi like exercise at the same time. Recently a mowing session was held at Greet Mill Meadows and there will be further sessions throughout the summer so look out for them on your travels. And meanwhile, if you would like to join in some volunteer activities in July:

Friday July 15th: Sarehole Mill workday – Can you volunteer a couple of hours of your time to help with some light garden work and to help tidy up the Millpond area behind Sarehole Mill? Meet at 10.30am on the car park of the Mill, Cole Bank Road.
Sunday July 17th: Hall Green Mela – from 12 - 5pm Sarehole Recreation Ground. Family fun – music, entertainment, children’s activities, stalls and good food.
Saturday July 23rd: Balsam Bash – The Dingles 1pm - 3pm Meet at the Coleside Avenue entrance to the site off Brook Lane. An opportunity to take your tension out on this invasive plant; Himalayan balsam. Cut it or pull it up and stamp on it – get 'it' out of your system as well as the environment!
Sunday July 31st: Balsam attack at Greet Mill Meadows 10am - 1pm. Meet at the ford at Green Road, and get your tension out on that plant again! Successive attacks are really working on this site to eradicate this invasive plant but we have to catch it before it seeds.

Mela 2011

This year’s Hall Green Mela and Festival takes place at Sarehole Mill recreation ground on Sunday July 11th from 12-00 until 5-00. This is another family occasion following on from the now world-renowned Middle-earth Weekend held at the same venue in May.

There are performances by local entertainers and lots of stalls run by local groups. And there are plenty of refreshments and seating for this very pleasant and relaxed family occasion. For further information or if you would like to be a volunteer, please call 675-7930 or 778-6679.