News and Diary Dates Diary Dates May 16th - 19th 2012 - The Moorpool Players May Show Alan Ayckborn’s brilliant comedy ‘Bedroom Farce' In possibly the best loved and most popular of Ayckborn’s plays, we are invited into three bedrooms simultaneously to observe human nature and all its frailties. The play will be directed by John Healey who recently directed our highly successful ‘Evening of Victorian Melodrama’. There will be four evening performances commencing at 7.30 and a matinee on the 19th at 2.00. Thursday 24th May 2012, 7:30-8:30pm Next meetings of the Moor Pool Reading Club at 7.30-8.30.pm in the Small Hall, The Circle, Moor Pool At our meeting on March 16th, we discussed Alice Sebold's "The Lovely Bones", introduced by Janine Sutton. Although there was plenty to say as usual, much of this was critical of a book most of us considered to be vastly overrated. It seems that as with news items, reviewers may just follow one another in building reputations, although Janine pointed out that there were also some unfavourable reviews in this case. Please note change of date Our next meeting was due to be held on 17th May but has had to be changed due to a Grainger 'mix-up'. For this next meeting our book is David Guterson's "Snow Falling on Cedars" to be introduced by Pat Leadbeter. At the following meeting on 19 July (unconfirmed), Jennie Nairn will introduce "Night Waking" by Sarah Moss. All welcome. Full details here A list of books read and discussed to date is now available. Anyone not on the Reading Club list who would like to be please contact me by email. Tricia Cusack. www.riverscapes.org Thursday 24th May 2012 - Moorpool Quiz The May quiz will take place on Thursday the 24th at 7.30pm in the Bowling pavilion. It will be a general knowledge quiz with Dave McGee as questions master. Teams can be up to 8 players, you can come with a team or join in with others on the night, there are always smaller teams looking to boost their numbers and everyone is friendly - well, until the competition starts anyway! Snacks and tea and coffee will be available. Diamond Jubilee Street Party preparations The dates for the next meetings to prepare for the Moor Pool Queen's Diamond Jubilee are: Sunday 13th May, 10.30-11.30am, Sunday 27th May, 10.30-11.30am and lastly, Sunday 3rd June 10.30-11.30am. Meet at 55 Carless Avenue. Tuesday June 5th 2012 - Diamond Jubilee Street Party The Moor Pool Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Street Party Coffee Morning on Sunday 25th March had a very good turnout. The group unanimously agreed to support and proceed with the party in Carless Avenue. The one objection that had been received has been successfully resolved. Those who wanted, and could participate, left with a task to work on to make the event a truly community based event. Thank you! The Moor Pool Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Street Party in Carless Avenue on TUESDAY 5TH JUNE is now happening and we want you to start planning your day: outfits (dress code: red, white and blue), including fancy dress for children-lots of Kings and Queens. All residents are welcome and tickets will go on sale nearer the event. There will be a BBQ manned by volunteers, locally made cakes, salads, etc. A King and Queen Parade and Crowning Ceremony, children’s entertainment and much more… The next meeting to progress the Moor Pool Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Street Party is on Sunday 22nd April from 10.30am - 11.30pm. Refreshments will be available. All residents and friends welcome. Saturday June 16th 2012 at 7.30 pm - Moor Pool's Got Talent Moor Pool's talented performers will have the chance to show off at our own local talent show. Applications to perform are being taken now and auditions will be held at a time to be advised. E-mail fundraising@moorpool.com for more information. This is a fundraising event for the Moor Pool Heritage Trust. Poster Thursday 28th June 2012 - Moorpool Quiz The June quiz will take place on Thursday the 28th at 7.30pm in the Bowling pavilion. Teams can be up to 8 players, you can come with a team or join in with others on the night, there are always smaller teams looking to boost their numbers and everyone is friendly - well, until the competition starts anyway! Snacks and tea and coffee will be available. Friday June 29th 2012 Moor Pool 100 Year Final Centenary (2007 - 2012) The MRA are currently making the final arrangements for the most fabulous final year of Moor Pool Estate’s 100 Year Centenary! The Winterbourne Tearoom and Terrace has waived the cost so that 100 residents and special guests can enjoy and admire the home, gardens and vision of John Sutton Nettlefold, founder of the Moor Pool Estate. There will be nibbles and soft drinks available courtesy of the MRA. Wine, beer and additional soft drinks will be available for guests to purchase. The event is booked for Friday 29th June from 6.30pm – 9.00pm. As a kind gesture of goodwill King Edwards VI Camp Hill Boys School will be providing musical Ensembles for us all to enjoy. Our mature residents, who may have difficulty finding appropriate transport, will be picked up from, and returned to, their front door whilst being chauffeured to Winterbourne courtesy of Shencare community transport’s 15 seater mini buses. Caroline, who runs a Cake Business: www.carolinescakecompany.co.uk from home on Moor Pool, has very kindly offered to provide a 100 Year Moor Pool Centenary cake as a neighborly gesture for the event. Personally, I’m already sorting out my outfit, along with Mary Saunders who has her outfit already to go! Can’t wait to see the hat Mary! Anyone wishing to visit the Winterbourne House and Gardens Website can do so by following the link: www.winterbourne.org.uk Moor Pool in Bloom 2012 - Saturday 23rd June: 9.30am - 4pm Planting the Circle: Lower Hall Bring your recycled container! and plant it up with compost and flowers More details later. Contact: Liz Muir: 07792473975 or by e-mail July 4th - 7th 2012 - The Moorpool Players Summer Show This will be our Summer Variety show and will be directed by Debbie Scattergood who has staged this very successful and popular show for the last two years. Moor Pool in Bloom 2012 - RHS Visit: July 2012 Details nearer the date. Saturday September 8th 2012 - Moor Pool Dance Moor Pool Hall Sunday September 9th 2012 - The Fourth Moor Pool Festival Saturday October 13th 2012 - Horse Racing Evening Organised by MPHT Novermber 21st - 24th 2012 - The Moorpool Players November Show This production will be directed by Norma Mason and details will be published in due course. Sunday December 16th 2012 - Moor Pool Carol Walk Wednesday December 12th 2012 - The Moorpool Players Christmas Show Regular Events Coffee Mornings Coffee mornings are held on the last Saturday of the month, 10:30 - 12:30. All are welcome and, as usual, any donations of cakes will be gratefully received. Saturday April 28th 2012 in the Lower Hall Saturday May 26th 2012 in the Lower Hall Farmer's Markets Held on Harborne High Street on the second Saturday of each month. Ward Meetings Edgbaston Constituency Office Harborne West 326 High Street Harborne Birmingham, B17 9PU Tel. 0121 675 0955 The Circle Newsagent Since the demise of the Post Office, the Newsagent is the only shop on the Estate where residents can shop locally. The shop stocks a very wide range of items including food, newspapers, stamps, sweets, wine, milk, cards and other stationary. If you need it then its quite likely that somewhere in the shop Raj stocks it. There are frequent special offers and the shop also has a photocopier and cash machine. Because of the shops importance to Moor Pools residents, the MRA are pressing the Council to install direction signs from the main roads nearby to the shop and the Moor Pool Hall. Moorpool News & Wine Opening times: Monday - Friday 7.00 - 19.00 Saturday 7.30 - 19.00 Sunday 7.30 - 13.00 You can now contact Raj via e-mail with any queries, requests, and suggestions for the Circle shop, or telephone 0121-428 1061. Photos News A NEW Event to be introduced this year is The MRA Moor Pool Awards Ceremony All residents will be asked to consider and nominate residents for the following categories: 1. Special Resident of the Year 2011 – 2012 2. Community Spirit Award 2011 – 2012 Nominations will be requested during August / September and the MRA Awards Ceremony will be held at the end of the Moor Pool Residents Association AGM in October so put your ”thinking hats” on now ! Time Capsule The MRA want to continue to mark the historic occasion of Moor Pool’s 100 Year Centenary by creating a Time Capsule with all sorts of items - from residents of all ages on the Estate! Initial ideas could include: old/recent photographs, memories of your time here on the Estate, funny neighborly stories, how it feels to be a new resident arriving on the estate, newspaper cuttings, information from the clubs and Societies, a drawing/painting of the project which could include: any Moor Pool flowers, the pool, historical information, the cost of renting a house/flat in 2012, a recent comic from Raj at the local shop, a newspaper printed on the same day as the Queens Diamond Jubilee, information on the history of each of the Clubs, ration books, stories about the war years, maps, MRA Chairmen/women etc. MRA members helping to coordinate the Moor Pool 100 Year Time Capsule include: Jayne Milicheap at millicheap@msn.com Dave McGee and Maureen Mauser. Moor Pool's Olympic Torch Did you know a Moor Pool resident designed an Olympic torch for the 1948 games? With the 2012 Olympic Games only months away its interesting to recall a part Harborne and the Moor Pool Estate played in the 1948 XIV Olympics held in London. Besides the traditional sporting events which numbered 17, the Games also included art competitions. The Art Exhibition “Sport in Art " was opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, S.W.7, by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester on July 15th. The exhibition and the five art competitions were an integral part of the Olympic Games under the International Olympic Committee's regulations. A Fine Arts Committee comprising distinguished representatives from each of the several branches of art included in the Olympic Games was set up to make arrangements for the judging of the contests and the staging of the exhibition, which included many notable works which were not eligible for competition. It was in the ‘Applied Arts and Crafts’ sub-section of Painting and Graphic Art that Carless Avenue resident and noted silversmith Bernard Cuzner entered a design for an Olympic torch. The torch entitled ‘Silver Symbolic Torch’ was recorded in the official programme as achieving an Honourable Mention. This piece was commissioned by The Goldsmiths Company, the design comprising octagonal sides having chased panels of oak leaves and acorns and rose briars. Crowned leopards' heads decorated the base of the pierced and chased finial. The shaft was engraved. Bernard Cuzner born in Alcester in 1877 became an important figure in the history of silversmithing in Birmingham. Although originally he was apprenticed to his watchmaker father, on leaving school, he abandoned watchmaking after two years and went to work for a Birmingham Silver firm. Attending evening classes at the recently opened Vittoria Street School for jewellers and silversmiths under Robert Catterson Smith, who with Arthur Gaskin influenced his work during the early years. He began designing for Liberty's in about 1900 and various Liberty designs are attributed to him. In the year 1910 he was appointed head of the Metalwork Department at the Birmingham School of Art in Margaret Street a position he held until retirement in 1942. He was a passionate believer in the Arts and Crafts tradition of hand-working, and was greatly influenced by other Birmingham silversmiths such as Arthur Gaskin. He continued to work as a silversmith until his death in 1956. 1948 was the last time the Olympic art competitions were held, although since 1952, a non-competitive art and cultural festival has been associated with each Games. Picture of the torch courtesy of the Goldsmiths Company. Moor Pool Heritage Trust Are you interested in the work of the Trust? Keen to be involved and informed? WHY DON’T YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THE TRUST COMPANY? Download an application form here. The Trust strives to conserve and maintain the unique architecture and landscape of the Suburb which makes it an outstanding Conservation Area, and its members should include all of the residents who believe that this conservation is worthwhile. There are several benefits of membership: - Receipt of the Annual Report and Accounts of the Company - Voting rights in Trust elections - Voting on major Suburb management issues through the Annual General Meeting The membership requirement is that you are an adult who has lived in the Conservation Area for more than 3 years. There are no restrictions on the number of members per household. The Trust differs from most companies in that while fulfilling its objective to conserve and maintain the character and amenities of the Conservation Area it produces no profits or dividends. The Trust does not have shareholders but members who have no financial commitment and a limited liquidation liability of £10. The company directors are volunteers. OBJECTS The charity’s objects (“Objects”) are specifically restricted to the following: To promote, for the public benefit: 1) the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment within the Area; and 2) the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of residents of the Area through the use of community facilities; and 3) the advancement of education, including promoting knowledge of the social and architectural history and heritage of the Area. For full information see the Companys Articles of Association. Download an application form here. Lunch with Ed Doolan, July 21st 2011 Rob Sutton and Jules Bellingham are interviewed on Radio WM about the Moor Pool Estate. If you missed it, and it's expired in i-Player, then you can hear it here. Carl Chinn Interview, July 17th 2011 Rob Sutton and Hilary Everard are interviewed by Carl Chinn on Radio WM about the Moor Pool Estate. If you missed it, and it's expired in i-Player, then you can hear it here. Scarecrow Competition 2011 Congratulations to Hazel and Jim, first time entrants who won with "Killer Queen" receiving the £20 first prize "A very clever mix of legend and royalty. Excellent Freddie 'stance'" commented the judges. Runner up this year with a £10 prize were last years winners '7 in All' with "The Other Royal Wedding". "Archbishop, Queen Mother - excellent detail to costume and decorations and recognisable too" said the judges. Third place and £5 prize went to Fiona Fellows and Family with "Elvis the King". Described by the judges as " Excellent costume, well placed - instantly recognisable, good pose" . Thanks you to everyone for taking part. We hoped all the entrants enjoyed building their scarecrows and will be entering again next year. Thanks must go to our Judges Pat Hands and Marion Morse. They needed quite a while to decide the results with the quality and effort put into the scarecrows making the decisions quite difficult. In the 'Highly Commended' section were 'One Day My Prince Will Come' made by Charlotte and Alex, 'Queen Elizabeth' by Janine and 'Elizabeth 1st' by Becky & Paul. Well done everyone. Rob Sutton The Way Forward - March 2011 The latest version of The Way Forward has now been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in anticipation of their forthcoming visit. The document includes visual presentations for a community park and creation of an eco classroom/study centre. The contribution of residents as part of the Moor Pool in Bloom programme is highlighted. Residents had the opportunity to look at the designs at the recent residents special meeting at the Moor Pool Hall as well as hear updates from Adrian Millicheap of Bournville Village Trust and Paul Mountain of legal firm Martineau who are representing the Residents Association. The residents association will be compiling survey data on the various buildings and open spaces needed to form a viable Trust and will be asking residents for their help. It is important that a need for the community buildings is proven if we are to access outside funding. We know we need them but we also have to prove it. The attendance at public meetings is also important as it demonstrates community interest and support. That is one of the reasons we ask for those attending to sign in as they arrive. Plans will be displayed at future coffee mornings and other events. Any residents who would like further information can contact the committee either by email or telephone 0121-426 5669 Community Garden Moor Pool lacks an open space for residents to meet or gather. There is nowhere for mothers and toddlers to go which is either suitable or secure. This is a serious shortcoming for a garden suburb in which provision for children was one of Nettlefold's desires. Neither does Moor Pool have an open space suitable for occasional open-air events or gatherings. This was apparent at last year's Moor Pool Festival. The Tennis Courts and Bowling Green are unsuitable for large numbers of people to walk on them without causing damage. Site B has the potential to be re-developed as a formal communal garden with flower borders and some seating. If the Valley Site allotments are restored, the area known as Site B could be turned to this purpose. It would be important to ensure its proper use and security. As such it would be securely enclosed with access only during daylight hours. Hedges would be cut back to proper height and overgrown trees and saplings properly pruned or removed. Areas unusable as a garden would be secured as a wildlife area. Early designs for Moor Pool gave great emphasis to open space particularly in the Valley and this made sensible use of this area which is prone to flooding. Restoring the allotments with a walkway through to the community garden would be a tremendous step forward in returning to Nettlefold's vision. Residents' Meeting - March 19th 2011 There was an extremely good turnout for this meeting to update residents on progress of the current viability study for taking communal areas of the estate into a community trust and share the vision of how the estate may look in the future. The PowerPoint slides are available to review here, or, if you do not have PowerPoint, in Adobe Acrobat format. Both run to a couple of Mb each, so if you have a slow connection or on capped usage, you have been warned. Moorpool Skittle Alley - 100 Not Out Steve Beauchampe the local historian and co-author of the Played in Birmingham book has kindly supplied us with an article he has written, with accompanying photograph, on the unique Moor Pool Skittle Club on its centenary. Read here to find out more about the fascinating history of one of Moor Pools best kept secrets. Litter Picks Estate-wide quarterly litter picks are being proposed for the first complete week (Sunday to Saturday) in February, May, August and November. The actual dates will be published in advance in the Duck newsletter and on the Moorpool websites. Residents will also be reminded just days before a pick is scheduled to take place by way of coffee morning flyers and at the meetings themselves. People can go out at any time in groups or by themselves using their own bags with a view to recycling or binning any litter as appropriate via their own refuse collections. Items deemed too big or hazardous in any way should simply be reported to the Residents Association via the usual channels and left for Grainger's own contractor and / or BCC's Hit Squad to clear by arrangement as soon as possible after each pick. Litter picking is to be undertaken with the caveat actor that involvement is voluntary and entirely at the own risk of participants. Children are welcome to join in but they remain the responsibility of their parents who must supervise them accordingly at all times. Please note that the Valley site is at present unsuitable for children to cover. Moor Pool in Bloom Sunflower Competition 2010 Congratulations to Ben Sykes (aged 9) of Moor Pool Avenue for winning this competition. Full details here Japanese Knotweed Update As the problem of Japanese Knotweed has been ongoing for a least 5 years without any successful treatment being undertaken, a petition was presented to Birmingham City Council to take some action to finally sort the issue out. A site visit took place on the 22nd June. Present were Rob Sutton MRA, Liz Muir MRA and Joe Hayden, the BCC Constituency Parks Manager. Joe Hayden was taken on a tour of the Knotweed sites which include the Circle, the Bowling Green, the Square and the Orchard. Additional growth to the rear of the Circle flats was also identified during the tour. We have now received a report from Joe Hayden and this will be conveyed to members of the Ward Committee on the 26th July at Lordswood Girls School. Unfortunately, the majority of the growth is not on Council controlled land and from the report it would seem there is limited action that can be taken. Despite this Grainger have agreed a 3 year treatment and management plan to remove the Knotweed from the Circle, Square and Bowling Green. We shall monitor closely whether this is carried through to a successful conclusion. All residents should be extremely vigilant for further outbreaks of this plant. It is extremely difficult to control and can have significant financial implications for property owners if discovered. Treating it weakens the plant until finally it will die but this can take longer than 3 years and treatment needs to be continued until there is no more evidence of growth. Further Update - September 3rd 2010 Following efforts by the Residents Association over many years culminating in a petition to the Council, the first steps have finally been taken to deal with the Estate's Japanese Knotweed problem. The treatment is already having effect as can be seen from the photograph. We are advised though that It has to be left in its dead-looking brown condition for a while longer before being cut down to allow time for the treatment to spread right through its system to the roots. Further courses of treatment as growth recurs will be needed over the next couple of years and we shall be monitoring this closely with your assistance. We will also be monitoring the outbreaks at the Bowling Green, the Circle flats, The Square and Orchard to see if the same progress is being achieved there. Estate Roads and Verges On August 19th, the MRA met with local Councillors, Constituency Engineer Marie Brown and representatives from Amey who are the contractors who will be maintaining Moor Pools roads and trees. Several issues had been raised by the MRA including the continued damage to the verges and retention of the cobbled edges to the Estates roads when scheduled resurfacing is carried out. Some time was spent assessing possible modifications to corners particularly North Gate to prevent the damage caused by the local bus and other large vehicles as they attempt to negotiate the tight corner. A key condition is to retain the character of the Estates roads which contribute to the nature of the Estate. The group also looked at verge reinforcement as a trial along a stretch of verge between Park Edge and Moor Pool Avenue. Amongst other items discussed were tree maintenance particularly Park Edge and the bottom of Margaret Grove and also lighting which is scheduled for replacement throughout the City. Finally the group looked at the state of Wentworth Gate where the surface is breaking up. Wild Life Trust Day RHS Heart of England in Bloom Judging Day It was a busy day at Moor Pool on Saturday 17th July. The morning started with a visit by Birmingham Wild Life Trust to the main hall. They put on a workshop of nest box making interspersed with 2 walks around the Estate looking at areas of wildlife interest. Those on the walks learned a great deal, realising that what might be an overgrown hedgerow to us is a haven for wildlife. This is all useful to our understanding and plans as we move forward with Moor Pools restoration. Back at the hall, children were still busily building nesting boxes. We hope to hear next year stories of new families moving into them! Later in the morning the Royal Horticultural Society arrived to assess the Moor Pool in Bloom entry as part of Britain in Bloom with the route stretching from The Square to Ravenhurst Road. Both judges were very complimentary and we are hopeful of good news when the results are announced in September. Local residents have worked tremendously hard to make the event a success and we have been well supported by BCC who have assisted with funding and frequent removal of the piles of rubbish generated. Thanks to should also go to those providing refreshments at the hall and backroom project support. Projects like this demonstrate resident's dedication to Moor Pools future and will be an important display of commitment when the HLF bid is put together. Photos John Sutton Nettlefold Honoured Winterbourne House and Garden, 13th May 2010 A blue Civic Society plaque was unveiled at Winterbourne House, Nettlefold’s home, to celebrate his achievements as a pioneer of town planning particularly during his time as the first Chairman of the City Housing Committee. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet his grandson Richard Carter, who unveiled the plaque and to learn more about the life of this important individual in Birmingham’s history. Residents will know of course, that Nettlefold was the inspiration and founder of the Moor Pool Estate which has survived as a lasting testament to his vision. Pictures of the plaque and the event are on the website. Winterbourne’s botanical gardens are a delight, but now with the completed restoration of the house to its former Arts and Crafts splendour including Nettlefold’s original study, there is even more reason to visit. The house was built in 1903 for John and his wife Margaret. Margaret Nettlefold designed the garden, inspired by the books and garden designs of Gertrude Jekyll. After a period of restoration, the house and garden was Grade II listed by English Heritage in 2008. The Moor Pool Residents Association has been very pleased to work with the team at Winterbourne supplying further background information on Nettlefold and supporting the oral history project which many Moor Pool residents have participated in. Photos Easter Egg Hunt The MRA held its first Easter Egg hunt on The Square which had recently been restored from its derelict state by the efforts of the MiB team and local residents. The superb weather and the great efforts of the organising team ensured the event was a tremendous success. The proceedings were in two parts with a hunt for clues by pre school children amongst straw at The Square and for older children a trail with five 'chickpoints' at which answers to questions had to be found before returning to collect one of the Easter eggs generously donated by Cadbury World. A lot of effort went into organising this first event and manning the 'chickpoints' by Jim, Anne-Marie, Alison, Etlyn, Liz, Barbara, Jason, Jan, Margaret and Maureen. We would also like to thank Rachel New and Cadbury World for supporting this event which was greatly enjoyed. Scarecrow Competition 2010 Congratulations to Maureen Mausers team of boys Connor, Josef, Jatinder, Freddie, Zak, Panayotis and Teifion who are the winners with 'Come on England!' taking the gold medal and £20 prize "Wow" said Janice "So good and the setting is wonderful too. Even the World Cup and flags!" Even as we judged, cars were stopping and reversing to take a second look at this tremendous effort. If the boys can keep the team together maybe they will appear again at the Moor Pool Festival for a lap of honour. Runner up again this year with a silver medal and £10 prize were Rose Tasmin Liberty and Eden with 'Edward and Bella from Twilight'. "Liked the faces, very realistic figures and scary too" said Janice. Third place and bronze medal with £5 prize went to Jamie Bench (who was last years winner) with 'The Moor Pool Duck'. Described by Janice as " Two for the price of one, very good use of materials, even a face, eggs etc" . Thanks you to everyone for taking part. We hoped all the entrants enjoyed building their scarecrows and will be entering again next year. Thanks must go to our Judge Janice Bridger who stepped in at the last minute to help us out. Janice found the quality of some of the entries made final decisions quite difficult. In the end we created a new category 'Highly Commended' which went to 'Lady Lucy of Moor Pool' made by Amber, Gabriella, Elspeth, Claudia, Molly and Annabel and also 'Sir Wilberforce Gummige' by Anne Claridge. The weather was marvellous all day and couldn't have been better for our Easter egg hunt and scarecrow competition. Well done everyone. Rob Sutton Maureen is the scarecrow star Birmingham Post Lite (their spelling, not mine), April 22nd 2010 Cameron Direct, February 11th 2010 Following an invitation from Deirdre Alden, the MRA Chair Rob Sutton attended a Cameron Direct question and answer session at Bartley Green School and put the following question on garden suburbs to David Cameron. The audio download is an edited version of the session and so does not include other questions put to David Cameron. Carol Walk, December 13th 2009 The second Moor Pool Carol Walk took place this Sunday, fortunately in dry conditions. Approximately 100 people attended and walked the route. Torches and lanterns were in abundance along with hearty voices. Thanks must go to Rachel New and Emma Gray who led the singing, Geoff Salminen who brought his accordion which was really appreciated. Returning to the hall everyone was glad to warm themselves with mulled wine and mince pies in this final MRA event for 2009. I would also like to thank our Stewards for the walk and also the hard work in the kitchen and behind the counter by Margie, Becky, Hazel, Jan and Emma In addition to the Carol Walk, Moor Pools Major Mustard entertained the children with 'Cinderella' in the lower hall with probably as many adults attending. This event is successful because so many of you make the effort to come along and support it. Thank you. Riverscapes and National Identities by Tricia Cusack (co-author of the MRG Moorpool Character Appraisal) Painted riverscapes such as Claude Monet’s impressions of the Seine, Isaak Levitan’s Volga views, and Thomas Cole’s Hudson scenery became iconic not least because they embodied nationalist ideas about place and about culture. At a time when nationalism was taking root across Europe and the United States, the riverscape played an important role in transforming the abstract idea of the nation into a potent visual image. It not only offered a picture of a nation’s physical character, but also, through aspects such as style, the figures portrayed, and the nature of the implied spectator, it presented a cultural ideal. In this highly original book, Tricia Cusack explores the significance of painted riverscapes for the creation of national identities in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe and America. Focusing on five rivers—the Hudson, the Volga, the Seine, the Thames, and the Shannon—the author shows how just as ancient river mythologies served the ends of powerful religious and political groups, modern riverscapes incorporated dominant, often religious conceptions of the nation. Drawing on the symbolic potential of rivers to represent life and time, the riverscape provided a metaphor for the mythic stream of national history flowing unimpeded out of the past and into the future. more... Annual General Meeting, November 20th 2009 held unusually on a Friday was very well attended. As well as residents, all our local Councillors and MP attended, as well as invited guests of the Association. After a moments silence to remember residents who had passed away, the Chair Rob Sutton gave an overview of the past year. Following the Chairman’s report the Treasurer Gill Morgan reported on the current finances of the Association which are sound despite the increased expenditure on social events and frequency of the Duck Newsletter. Questions were then invited from the floor. In particular issues were raised concerning tenants rent increases. The election of MRA Committee members then proceeded. Rob Sutton chose to stand down 12 months early and stand for re-election to allow residents the opportunity to support continuing the policies of the last 12 months. The residents voted for his re-election and he thanked them for their support. 3 new members of the Committee were then proposed and approved by vote. They were Liz Muir, Jonathan Pearson and Igor Cusack. Eugene Hayden and Leslie Pearson had both stood down from the main Committee. Eugene will continue to support the Centenary Committee and Leslie will continue to support the Association as a co-opted member. Eugene has been a member of the Committee for some years and Rob Sutton thanked them both for their contribution to the Associations work. The Chair then invited Andrew Hackett of the Moor Pool Regeneration Group to speak. Andrew summarised the Judicial Review which had been instigated and Emma Moyes gave a more detailed report on the Judicial Review. Andrew offered the resignation of the MRG Committee and their re-election which was wholeheartedly supported and carried. Rob Sutton thanked the MRG for all the hard work and support they had given in the ongoing efforts to secure Moor Pools future. Finally to conclude the meeting Rob thanked all those for attending and reminded them of the forthcoming Christmas events including the Moor Pool Carol Walk. Residents' Association page. November 2009 - Councillors John and Deirdre Alden accompanied Residents' Association Chair Rob Sutton and resident Jenny Buchan, planting spring bulbs at the junction of Moor Pool Avenue and Margaret Grove. The bulbs were available following a generous grant from the local Ward Committee and an anonymous donation by a Moor Pool resident. Halloween 2009 The Moor Pool Estate was visited this Halloween by a collection of young 'ghosties, ghoulies and long-legged beasties', with the odd witch or two thrown in, for trick or treat fun. There were some fine costumes and disguises worn by all participants, including accompanying Mums and Dads, who had all entered into the spirit of the occasion, and it is hoped a nice time was had by all. Conservation Areas and Character Appraisal - speech by Gisela Stuart, October 21st 2009 Local MP Gisela Stuart invited Alastair Moyes from the MRG and MRA Chair Rob Sutton to Westminster today to attend a Private Members' debate entitled 'Conservation Areas and Character Appraisal'. Ms Stuart had been able to obtain the debate at short notice to discuss various issues raised by the recent Moor Pool planning applications. More information on the MRG website The Moor Pool Festival, held on September 13th 2009, was extremely successful. Photographs available here. Historic Moorpool Celebrates 100 years, Edgbaston and Harborne Observer, September 2009 The Moor Pool Festival, Harborne and Edgbaston Gazette, October 2009 The Victorian Society is launching its annual appeal to find the nation’s top ten endangered buildings. Why not nominate the Hall and Skittles Alley? Moorpool Bowls Club Centenary Edgbaston and Harborne Observer, June 17th 2008 Welcome to Moor Pool now available here. Scarecrow Competition 2009 Congratulations to Jamie and his Mom who are the winners of the first Moor Pool Scarecrow competition. Mr and Mrs Bunnykins were described by the judges as "very original, well designed, nice details and super Easter theme". Runner up by Tasmin Liberty and Eden was Pinky the Punk who had "a very realistic body and face, great posture, very teenagerish". Third place went to Patrick and Hilary with Handy Andy and Hilly. Described by the judges as " very original, nice details and like the garden tools" Thanks to everyone who took part in the competition and who should have received a certificate. Overall the standard was high and it is a pity everyone could not receive a prize because a lot of effort had been made particularly by youngsters. Hopefully all this years contestants will enter in 2010 and others will have a go too. Thanks must go to our Judges Glyn and Diane who were thrown in at the deep end but like the rest of us enjoyed the occasion. Fortunately the sun came out whilst the judging was taking place. Well done everyone. And the photographs are here, and press coverage here. Rob Sutton An alternative plan for the Valley Site The Moorpool Allotment Association has put forward an alternative proposal for the future of the Valley Site that would benefit the community and be in keeping with the conservation status and original ethos of the estate. Carol Walk 2008 Moorpool Residents Association held its first Carol Walk in 2008. Very much an experimental event it proved a great success. Approximately 75 residents gathered at the Moor Pool Hall before setting off on a lamp lit tour of the Estate. Several stops were made to sing carols before finally arriving back at the Hall. Mulled wine and mince pies or hot drinks were then the order of the day. The event is already booked for 2009 on December 13th and the events Committee will be looking at ways to improve it still further. Coffee Mornings The Residents' Association held their first Coffee Morning on Saturday, January 19th 2008 and this proved to be extremely popular. It was attended by over 60 residents of all ages and even showed a modest profit (although this was not the primary intention). It ihas now become a regular monthly event. Held in the Lower Hall, 10:30 - 12:30, all are welcome and, as usual, any donations of cakes will be gratefully received.