Harborne Clock Tower – We Want Your Views

Background

The Harborne Clock Tower Centre is a Grade II Listed Building which dates from 1881 and was most recently used as an Adult Education Centre. 

Serious structural problems were encountered in March 2010, which led to the building being covered in protective scaffold in the interest of public safety. Following subsequent structural surveys the City Council decided in late July to close the Centre in view of the potential threat to the public, Centre users and staff. In the interim, courses starting in September were relocated to other Adult Education Centres and to some venues in the Harborne area. 

Following a review of the Adult Education Service across the city it has been concluded that The Clock Tower will not reopen. The City Council therefore faces the challenge of a Grade II Listed Building in need of significant investment to make it safe and to bring it up to standard whilst protecting it for the long-term benefit of Harborne.

Official Opening of Kenrick Centre in Harborne

This was the 12 May 2009 by Dame Jo Williams, a former Chief Executive of Mencap. The ceremony was attended by local residents and their families, along side care staff and local partners. Amongst the guests of honour were Mrs. Anne Kenrick and her son, representingg their family who so generously gave the land all those years ago. Also in attendance were Councillor Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Social Health & Care, Peter Hay, Strategic Director, and Councillor Deirdre Alden Edgbaston Ward Councillor and Chairman of the Edgbaston Constituency.

Harborne Orchestra Looking for Violinist

1st Violinist (Leader) Required

The Harborne Orchestra is currently seeking a replacement for their current leader who leaves in September. This amateur orchestra rehearses weekly in school term time, on Friday evenings
(7.30pm - 9.30pm) in Queen Alexandra College, Harborne. We perform one public concert each term, with occasional extra engagements.

Art on the Edge Festival (2009)

This half day arts festival at Birmingham Town Hall, 15th Feb '09, brought together artists living in, working in or inspired by the Edgbaston Constituency. The show was supported by the Four Wards of the Edgbaston Constituency as well as the local Arts Champions; DanceXchange and Town Hall | Symphony Hall. It was produced and curated for One Edgbaston Partnership by Scholars and Warriors.
More details can be found in posts below.

Celebrate 70 Years of Success - 9th May

Quinborne Community Centre is located on Ridgacre Road, Quinton and celebrated it’s 70th year of providing services for the community during 2008. The Centre offers a welcoming atmosphere with a cafe that is open during the day time. The Quinborne Centre is on the same site as Quinton Library so local residents can visit the library and Quinborne Centre during the same excursion.

Harborne Carnival Returns! 28th June 2009

This will be the 11th year of the carnival and it growing from strength to strength with more people turning out each year. Last year saw a record number or people attending which goes to show it is one of the largest street carnivals in the country. The weather was fantastic which encouraged lots of people with families to come and enjoy the day’s activities. Once again the high street will have a variety of Stalls, rides, demonstrations much more so come along and enjoy the festivities on the day.

Harborne Chef get Michelin Star

Since winning the award, trade has taken off for Richard Turner at his 28 seater restaurant with the force “of a juggernaut... It’s been crazy,” says the 38-year-old chef, who launched 'Turners' in the High Street 18 months ago.

Richard is determined to keep his prices fair it must be one of the best value Michelin-starred restaurants around with three course lunches at under £18 and a three-course dinner for £21.50. "Elsewhere in Birmingham you could end up paying between £60 and £70 for a tasting menu, but I think £25 for an appetiser, a starter, a main course, a pre-dessert and a main dessert is excellent value.”

Art on the Edge Festival (2009)

This half day arts festival at Birmingham Town Hall, 15th Feb '09, brought together artists living in, working in or inspired by the Edgbaston Constituency. The show was supported by the Four Wards of the Edgbaston Constituency as well as the local Arts Champions; DanceXchange and Town Hall | Symphony Hall. It was produced and curated for One Edgbaston Partnership by Scholars and Warriors. Those attending or represented included:

Artists: Leon Sparkes, Quinborne Pottery Group, Mary Burrows, Jenny Brandon, Maggie Holmes, Barti Patel. Sue Howells, Natalie Toplass, Paul Riddlen and Shirley Speight.

Photographers: the Edgbaston Snaps Flickr group including work by Ted Spiller and Nate Nautilus. Also a new comission by Vanley Burke.

Performers: The Harborne Orchestra, Moorpool Players, Quinton and Quinborne Choirs and the Crosskeys Musical Theatre

See all the pictures here

Richard and Judy come to Harborne Library!

Harborne Library was approached in December by the makers of the Richard and Judy Show to film the Harborne Reading Group in action, discussing “The Gargoyle” by Andrew Davidson. The book was chosen as it is quirky and unusual in its content, described by group organiser Mary Worrall as “an intriguing read - a love story with a difference."
During the filming members of the group were interviewed in different parts of the library - the interviewer described the group as “lively and engaging” and the show was broadcast on Sky Channel 109 on Wednesday 4th February.

A Tale of Two Green Men

This video is a follow up to the "Tale of Two Green Men" (see One Edgbaston magazine and the Evening Mail,or watch the video!) The video was created by "Chad Vale TV" - The Charles Henry Foyle Trust gave Chad Vale School a grant of £2000 to buy 10 video cameras and a Macbook: this shows what they have done with it

Edgbaston's Got Talent

The Edgbaston Constituency will be holding a local talent show, with a final performance early next year in a city centre venue. For more information and to enter, read the document below, or contact carol_morgan@birmingham.gov.uk

Harborne is a "divine setting .. home of writers, academics, surgeons, lawyers and senior account partners"

I didn't want to let Edgbaston get all the fuss (see below) and found this piece from the Birmingham Post website back in 2006:

Not for nothing is Harborne affectionately known as The Village. A genteel, unhurried atmosphere pervades the streets of lovingly restored Victorian terraces, Georgian townhouses and discreet gentlemen’s villas. It also provides a divine setting for the Bishop of Birmingham, whose official residence is at Bishop’s Croft, not far from the former home of the city’s first MP, Thomas Attwood, who lived for many years at The Grove.