Are you a member of this, your local residents’ association?

Have you paid your £4 for 2020 membership? If you haven’t, you’re not and you are needed!

As of 31st December 2019 we have 534 paid up members who paid £2,136.00 into our funds. With this money we:

• operateaPlanningSubCommitteetoreviewlargeplanning proposalsforDorridge,BentleyHeathandFourAshes;

• continuetoproducethisNewsletterthreetimesperyear;

• hostfreedefibrillatortrainingatDorridgeVillageHall;

• contributefundingtotheDorridgeandBentleyHeath Christmaslightswitchon;

• considergrantrequestsfromyouthgroupsandlocal residentsinvolvedincausesthatwillbenefitourcommunity insomeway;

• provideandmaintaintheplantersatBentleyHeathcentreand supportthegardeninggroupthatmaintainsthegardenson StationApproachandonthesquare;

• wecampaignedtohavethepavementlevelledanddamaged treesreplacedoutsideSainsbury’sdeliveryentrance;

• wehavestronglinkswithourthreelocalcouncillors.

Wearededicatedtokeepingourareaapleasantplacetolive.

Willyousupportusinthis?

We intend to support the Neighbourhood Forum in its fight toimplementtheNeighbourhoodPlan.

Thursday, 12th March 2020 - 7:30-9:00pm at Ye Olde Knowle Bowling Club

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

7.30pm - WelcomeandChair’sReport7.40pm - DDRAandrelationshipwiththeKnowle,Dorridgeand BentleyHeathForum7.55pm - Coffee/Tea Break8.10pm - Treasurer’sReport8.20pm - ElectionofOfficersandCommittee8.25pm - WorkoftheBusActionGroup8.40pm - Question Time8.55pm - MeetingClose

(nexttoTheRailwayInn,Dorridge.ApproachedfromthemainroadthroughtheentrancetoDorridgeVillageHallbutontherightbeforethehallcarpark)

AGENDA

FOR THE RESIDENTS OF DORRIDGE, BENTLEY HEATH AND FOUR ASHES

TH

E DORRIDGE & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

STATION APPROACH CONSERVATION AREA 1992No.225 SPRING 2020

Thomas Bragg & SonsFuneral Directors

www.thomasbragg.co.uk

Call us for immediate support, advice or a home visit. We are here to help 24 hours a day.

Knowle 01564 773 6101682 High St, B93 0LY

Chair: PATRICIAEVESON • Secretary: ALISONMcCALLUMPleaseemaildocumentsfortheNewslettertoJeaninePlain-Jonesat:dorridgeresidents@gmail.com•www.ddraonline.com

HOLLAND CORNER,LODGE ROAD, KNOWLE

TEL: 01564 772234

343 STRATFORD RD, SHIRLEYTEL: 0121 745 5692

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2020 and Onwards into the FutureOurnewNeighbourhoodPlanisusedforguidance,bytherecentlycreated DDRA Planning Sub-committee, when considering andcontesting controversial local planning applications. A recentexample,nowwithdrawn,wastheverylargeCareHomeproposedforEarlswoodRoad.

Anticipatingthefuture,werecognisethatourthreelocalcommunitygroups, DDRA, Knowle Society and the Knowle, Dorridge andBentley Heath Neighbourhood Forum will need to join forces tochallengeandquantify,forexample,theimpactontheareacreatedby the proposed Motorway Service Area at Junction 4 of theM42. Insuchcasesweneed tobeprepared tomakeamonetarycontributiontothesignificantexpensesthatareanticipatedfighting/modifyingtheproposal.

Withjust534payingmembersofDDRAin2019ourincomeisverylimitedandaswehopetocontinuewith thisnewresponsibility, inaddition to theactivities listed in thisNewsletterunder ‘Are you a member of this, your local Residents’ Association?’ we need to increase membership.

Bybecomingamemberof theResidents’Associationandpayingyourannual£4youwillhelpusbuildonourreservestofundallthatwewanttodowhich,inthefuture,mayincludehelpingpayforthesurveys, inquiries, statisticalevidenceetc thatcreate theessentialobjectivebasisforacaseagainstinappropriatedevelopment.Sopleasejoinus!StandingOrderisourpreferredoption;ourbankaccountdetailsareatthebottomofthebackpage,andofcourseifyouwouldliketopayusalittlemorethatwouldbefantastic.

Newsletter deliverers

Can you help out?

TheDDRAnewsletterisdeliveredtoover4,000homesthreetimesayear(March,July&November)byadedicatedteamofabout50volunteers.Forvariousreasonsafewofthemhavehadtogiveup,soifanyonereadingthiscouldofferuptoanhourtohelp,itwouldbe very much appreciated. In addition, it would be very usefulto have a list of peoplewilling to be called upon occasionally asemergency cover. If you can help in either of theseways, pleasecontactDavidAldison01564773437oratdcaldis14@gmail.com

Local Bus Action PartnershipDDRA and Knowle Society have recently got together to putpressure on Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to improve ourlocal bus services. There have been a number of changes in thepast 12 months: in February 2019 the frequency of buses fromDorridgetoandfromSolihullwasreducedtoonceanhour,whichisnotfrequentenoughtoattractregularuse.InSeptember2019therewere more changes, with the route renamed A3/A3W. The localcircular route - now renamed the A7/A8 - was also changed andtimetabledtocompleteitscircuitinlesstimethanithadpreviously,whichcreatedthefearthatbuseswouldrunlate.

Any changes to timetables and routes will cause disruption tocertain journeys. When we meet with TfWM we want to haveevidencetosupportourarguments.Inviewofthiswehavedevisedanonlinesurveywhichwewouldlikeasmanypeopleaspossibleto

complete.Forthosewhouselocalbusesregularlywewanttohearaboutyourexperiences,goodandnotsogood,andforpeoplewhodon’tcurrentlyuse localbuseswewould like toknowmoreabouthowbusescouldbemademoreattractivetoyouasatraveloption.

TocompletethesurveypleasegototheDDRAwebsite,www.ddraonline.com, go to the “Local bus services” section andclickonthelinktooursurvey.

We really would value your helpwith this - we need to know therealityofthesituationasyouseeitsowecanhelpadviseTfWMwhatourneighbourhoodneedsbywayofabusserviceareandthenworkwiththemtoachieveit!

A New Church and Centre for Dorridge and Bentley HeathWearenearlyclearofthelasthurdlesbeforewestartthisamazingproject.WehavesatisfiedtherequirementsoftheDioceseandarenowawaitinga finalsign-offof thePriorToCommencement(PTC)conditions thatwere imposedbySolihull PlacesDirectoratewhenplanningapprovalwasgranted.

WeprovidedthemwithdetailslastAugustbutrecentlywereaskedtoclarifyacoupleofpoints.Once thePTCshavebeensignedoffthiswillallowustosignthecontractandforworktobegin.Wehavebecomeused,however,tolastminutefrustrationsowecontinuetokeepprayingasweawaitthedecision.

Wehave raisedsufficient funds tobuild thewholestructure, finishthe church completely and landscape the site. Now we need toraiseadditionalfundstofinishtheinternalcommunityfacilities.Oncebuilding starts, we shall be inviting local residents and others topartnerwithusincompletingthecommunityspaceinsidethenewbuilding.

Pleaselookoutforinformationonhowyoucanjoininthisexcitingprojectwhichwillbringincrediblebenefitstothechurchandwholecommunity.Forfurtherinformationpleasevisit:https://www.stphilipsandstjames.orgRichardandGillArbuthnot.

In public spaces are you aResponsible Dog Owner?DDRAhasreceivedanumberofangryemailsaboutdogsallowedtoroamfreelyinpublicspaceswhoapproachstrangers,thenbarkand jumpup.Often theownersareaconsiderabledistanceawayanddespiteshoutingthatthedogisonlybeingfriendly,therecipientof the dog’s attention is not reassured and often is left unsettledor upset.Ownersmust appreciate thatmany people are afraid ofstrange dogs and do not enjoy the prospect of their attention orcompany.Childrenandolderpeoplefeelparticularlyvulnerableandthere is a growing concern that the public parks of Dorridge andKnowle are becoming a no-go area formanywho are nervousofdogs.

Ownerspleasebeconsiderateofothersand thinkof thenegativeimpactthatyourenthusiasticdog’sbehaviourcouldhaveonothers.

Dog owners please be aware:IfyouareadogownerpleasereadthisarticlefromourlocalPCSOWendyShale.

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IthasbeenbroughttothePolice’sattentionthatsomedogsinthelocalareaarebeingwalkedofftheirleadsonpubliclandorinopenspacesandthesedogshavebeenreportedchasingandattemptingtoattackwildlife.Thisisnotacceptable.

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of controlanywhere such as: • Apublicplace • Aprivateplace,forexampleaneighbour’shouseorgarden • Intheowner’shome

The lawapplies toalldogsandadog isconsidereddangerouslyoutofcontrolifit: • Injuressomeone • Makessomeoneworriedthatitmightinjurethem

Acourtcouldalsodecidethatyourdogisdangerouslyoutofcontrolifeitherofthefollowingapply: • Itattackssomeone’sanimal • Theowneroftheanimalthinkstheycouldbeinjurediftheytry tostopyourdogattackingtheiranimal.

Afarmerisallowedtokillyourdogifit’sworryinglivestock.Penaltiescouldbeanunlimitedfineoryoucouldbesenttoprisonforupto6months(orboth)ifyourdogisdangerouslyoutofcontrol.Youmaynotbeallowedtoownadoginthefutureandasaworsecasescenario,yourdogmaybedestroyed!

Dorridge Bridge ClubMeetseveryThursday7pmfor7.15pmforduplicatebridgeatTheOldSilhillsSportsClub,WarwickRoad,Solihull.

Allarewelcome.PleasecontactFranBaxter01564777505.

Overhanging Vegetation?Please check the perimeter of your property and trim back, ifrequired, any vegetationover-hanging thepavement, footpathsorcarriageway as section 154 of the Highway’s Act 1980 requiresdangers and obstructions to be removed to avoid potentialprosecution.Ifnecessary,liftanylowbranchestoabovesixfeet.IfatreeissubjecttoaPreservationOrderorisinwithinaConservationAreapleasecontacttheManagedGrowthDirectorateatwww.solihull.gov.uk

F.O.D.S. NewsINCREDIBLE EDIBLE RESCUED!InourlastnewslettertheFriendsofDorridgeStationannouncedthattheywouldnolongerbeabletoprovidepick-your-ownproduceatthestationwithoutexpert‘hands-on’ assistance. By sheer chance the Vicarage Road AllotmentsAssociation in Packwood had an item in the same newsletterand contacted FODS to offer help. As a result, the ‘Friends’ arearrangingforasecondplantertobeprovidedbyTheFamilyCareTrust,aSolihullbasedcharity,andvolunteers fromVicarageRoadallotmentswillmanagethescheme.

Across the tracks the secondWaiting Room refurbishment drawsevercloserbut,asalways,nothinghappensuntilithappens.FODS,however, are hopeful that work will begin in the Spring and thatPlatform2/3travellerswillsoonbeabletoenjoythesamelevelofcomfortasthoseonPlatform1.

All these are welcome improvements to our personal much-usedstationbutFODSChairman,PiersWolf,hasacknowledgedthatthegroupwouldnotsucceedwithoutChilternRailways’willingness tolistentotheCommittee’ssuggestionsand,whereverpossible,helpthem achieve their aims.

More Police AdviceWhen out and about during the hours of darkness remember toleavealighton.Usingalighttimerisagoodwayofmakingitlooklikesomeoneishome.

Keep Keys out of View – recently a robbery was reported whereaccesswasgainedbyfishingkeysthroughthecatflap.OnceinsidethepropertyitemswerestolenandanAuditakenoffthedrive.Pleasestoreyourkeysoutofreachandoutofsightofexteriordoorsand windows.

FormoreadviceonhowtosecureyourhomevisittheWMPwebsitehttps://west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/residential-burglary/#prevention

Dorridge butchers.FollowingthesuddendeathofDorridgebutcherTonyCraigDDRA,inconjunctionwithDorridgeGardeningGroup,haveplantedaredrosenamed“LiliMarlene”inhismemory.Thisroseisplantedintheplotnearhisshopintheoldprecincttotheleftofthetree.

DDRAhasbeeninformedbyHurdley’sestateagentsthattheshophasbeenre-letasanotherbutcher’sshop.

HeartstartIf you would like to learn how to respond if you see someonecollapsecomeforsomefreelocaltraining;wehaveanothersessionarrangedfor13thMarch.

PleasecontactJaneHoltviadorridgeresidents@gmail.com if you’d liketocometothisorafuturesession. Have you considered joining a U3A?TheU3Aexists toprovidea framework inwhich retiredandsemi-retiredpeoplecanget involved inhelping tocreate, join, and rundifferent learning-based activities which improve their knowledgeandskills, enhance theirphysical andmentalwellbeingandkeepthemsociallyconnected.Further informationabout theworld-wideU3Amovement and theWestMidlands network can be obtainedfrom www.U3A.org.uk

South Solihull U3A meets in Bentley Heath Community Centre,WidneyRoad,BentleyHeath,B939BQeverysecondMondayofthemonth at 2.00pm.

Weofferawiderangeofactivitiesforretiredandsemi-retiredpeople.Newmembersorvisitorsarealwayswelcome.Contacthelenrclarke@hotmail.co.uk–orjustcomealongandpayusavisit.

A personal message from our new Community Development WorkerHi,I’mSianBishopandI’maCommunityDevelopmentWorkerforDorridge,Knowle&HockleyHeath.Partofmyroleistofindoutand

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Child & dog friendly, book exchange, networking & business meetings,breakfast & lunch, afternoon clubs welcome.

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promoteall thewonderfulcommunityactivities thatarehappeningin thearea, soyoumayseemeattending thesegroups. I’vemetsome lovely people who are doing great work in the community.I’ve also had some inspiring conversations with people who arekeentobecomemoreinvolved,suchashavingawillingnesstosetupanewgrouporbygiving their timetoprojects thatbenefit thecommunity. I am delighted to helpwith this. If you are interestedin beingmore involved in your community orwould like to shareanylocalknowledgeorideas,pleasecontactmeon07721236256,email sian.bishop@solihull.gov.uk or find me on Facebook as‘CommunityWorkerforKnowle,Dorridge&HockleyHeath’

Sian Bishop, (Managed Growth)

SPRING SING! A Decade of SongSaturday25thApril2020at7.30pm.TheCoreTheatre,Touchwood,Solihull.

Popular community choir Sing! Bentley Heath perform their ‘greatest hits’ from their first decade of concerts that include hitsongsfromAbba,EltonJohn,theThreeDegreesandBillyJoel.

The concert will be raising funds for two charities – the MacularSocietyandtheAlzheimer’sSociety.SponsoredbyMWSFinancialAdvisers Ltd.

Ticketsinadvance£9.50fromTheCoreBoxOffice01217046962oronlinewww.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

Press ReleaseAFunRunto‘Test your Resolve’

Thinkingofgettingfit?It’snottooearlytoentertheKnowleFunRunonSunday17Maytodosomethingaboutit!

KnowleandDorridgeLionshavealreadyopened theirwebsite forentriestothisyear’s37thKnowleFunRunonSunday17thMayatwww.knowlefunrun.org.uk,sonowisthetimetogoonline,enterandcommittoa5kor10krunthroughthetraffic-freeroadsofKnowle.Whynotencourageyourfriendsandcolleaguestojoinyou,perhapsmakeupateamof4runners?

‘Anyonewhohas takenpart in recentyearswill tellyouabout thegreat atmosphere of 1800 runners, many in fancy dress, beingcheeredonbytheresidentswhoalwayslinethetraffic-freestreets,’says Lions President Richard Buckley. ‘We hope runners commitearlybyenteringonlinenowandwillmakeadonationorgettheirrun sponsored to help raise funds to support this year’s partner

Ifyouprefertopaymembershipof£4perpersonpercalendaryearbycashorcheque(payabletoDDRA)pleasedelivertoourMembershipSecretaryHelenBraggat85HanburyRoad,DorridgeB938DN

NAME (Print)....................................................................................................... Email / Tel Number.............................................................................................................................

ADDRESS..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Post code ...............................

Amount(s)enclosed subscription(s): £ ............................................ Donation: £ ............................................ Total: £ ............................................

Activities - in date order

12th March Residents Association A.G.M. 7.30pm atYeOldeKnowleBowlingGreen,Dorridge.

13th March Heartstartsession-pleasebookvia dorridgeresidents@gmail.com

25thApril ‘Spring Sing’bySingBentleyHeath7.30pm atTheCoreTheatre,Solihull.

13th&14th ‘Beer, Gin & Prosecco Festival’March atKnowleBritishLegion -Knowle&DorridgeRoundTable.

17th May Fun Run-Knowle&DorridgeLions.

12thJuly Heart of England Bike Ride -Knowle&DorridgeLions.

charities–theSolihullHospitalCharityandCLICSargentwithhalfofallproceedsbeingretainedforlocalcauses.

Inadditiontothe5&10kmFunRunswithindividualaswellasteamtrophiestobewon,therewillbe4KidsrunsaroundArdenplayingfieldsforeachofschoolyears1to4.

AlreadytheLionsarebusyplanningfor theday,seekingbusinesssponsorsandadvertiserstocovercostsandvolunteerstomaketheeventitsusualgreatsuccess.WearealsolookingtoidentifyaVIPtosettherunnersontheirway&presentthewinnerstrophies.Ifyoucanhelppleasegetintouchvia2020@knowlefunrun.org.uk today.

15th Heart of England Bike RideSunday 12 July (Details to be confirmed)From National Trust Packwood House and around the beautifulWarwickshirecountryside.

Gear up, get your friends and family together and take on thechallengeofthe20or30kmleisurerideorthe100kmchallengingveloroute.

Helpraise fundsforTheUKSepsisTrust,SoLOLifeOpportunitiesaswellaslocalcauses.

Pleaseseemoredetailsofdiscountedentriesandsignupvia:www.knowleanddorridgelions.com/bikeride

Have you paid your Residents’ Association subscription: £4 per person per year?Standing Order preferred, make payments to DDRA, Sort Code 40-19-34, Account Number 91006347. If you choose this option

please e-mail: dorridgeresidents@gmail.com with your name, address and details of the payment, using your surname as reference.

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