Author: techforevents

Ken has been around the meetings and exhibition industries for more than 30 years so remembers the introduction of computers, the arrival of PowerPoint, even the dawn of video conferencing. These days he tries to bring a breath of realism to discussions about technology in the worlds of meeting and exhibition organisation. He is a director of RefTech Services, a UK based badging and registration company.

New Chair for Kings Heath Residents’ Forum

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The long-standing chair of Kings Heath Residents’ Forum (KHRF), Jon Jaffa, has passed responsibility for chairing the organisation to Helen Baglee.

Jon has chaired the group for six years during which time he has provided leadership on a variety of subjects, some of which have been emotive and challenging. In addition he has chaired a range of public meetings including hustings and the KHRF annual general meetings.

Speaking after being elected to the role of chair, Helen Baglee said ‘I am really excited and honoured to take up this new role although I am aware that Jon will be a hard act to follow. I know it’s going to be a big task but I also know that we have a dedicated management committee and together we’ll do everything we can to represent the interests of the residents of Kings Heath’.

Kings Heath Street Festival cancelled

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Following discussions about the future of the annual Kings Heath Street Festival, the organisers have announced that the 2017 Festival has been cancelled. A statement has been published that explains that, ‘the measures now required to be put in place make it impossible to reproduce the events that we have previously held’.

The full statement can be seen here.

Grants available for local groups

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Sergeant O’Keeffe of the Moseley and Kings Heath neighbourhood Police team has provided an invaluable list of grants that may be of help to local organisations and groups.

Support for Schools to Set Up Breakfast Clubs

Magic breakfast is a registered charity (number: 1102510) that aims to ensure that no child is too hungry to learn by providing healthy breakfast food and expert support to qualifying schools. The charity supports schools with 35% or more pupils eligible for free school meals, or with 50% of pupils who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the last six years (known as Ever 6 FSM).

More  information here.

Grants to Support the Development of a Just Society (UK)

The Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation provides grants to registered charities and other groups in the UK for projects that contribute to the development of a just society based on a commitment to nonviolence and environmental sustainability.

More information here.

Charities Leadership Programme (UK)

The Cascading Leadership programme is designed to give support to two groups of people leading voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations focussed on health and wellbeing. The first group is made up of experienced leaders who want to develop their skills by supporting another organisation. The second is people who would benefit from the experience of others who can help them to reflect and learn and to develop their organisation.

More information here.

British Ecological Society Outreach Grants (UK)

The British Ecological Society offers grants to individuals and organisations such as schools, museums, libraries and community groups that are promoting ecological science to a wide audience.

More information here.

Co-op Local Community Fund (UK)

The Co-op Local Community Fund distributes money raised from own brand products and carrier bag sales to local good causes chosen by its members. To apply to be a Co-op cause you must have a project or event in mind that takes place in the UK or Isle of Man, doesn’t have religious or political aims (although you can still apply if you’re a religious organisation), meets the Co-op’s values, takes place or will still be running after October 2018 and benefits your local community

More information here.

Local School Nature Grants Scheme (England, Scotland and Wales)

The scheme offers schools the opportunity to apply for up to £500 worth of equipment to help them to undertake environmental improvements. The scheme is open to schools with pupils aged 5 and upwards.

The deadline for the next round of funding is 15 September 2017.

More information here.

Greggs Foundation – Local Communities Projects Fund (England, Scotland & Wales)

The Greggs Local Community Projects Fund makes grants to organisations supporting people in need. Any not for profit organisation can apply. However, larger organisations with a turnover in excess of £300,000 are unlikely to be successful.

The deadline for applications for the next round of funding is 18 August 2017.

More information here.

Greggs Environmental Grant (England, Scotland & Wales)

The grants are intended to support projects that improve the physical environment in a way that will improve people’s lives. This can include purchase of equipment, sessional salary costs, purchase of trees/plants, small capital projects and learning activities. The grants are also given for new approaches and innovative ideas as well as sustainable approaches to supporting your local environment.

The deadline for applications for the next round of funding is 29 September 2017.

More information here.

Veolia Environmental Trust Grants (UK)

Not-for-profit groups close to a qualifying Veolia site (Kings Heath appears to meet the criteria) can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 towards community buildings, parks and paths, play and recreational facilities, nature reserves and biodiversity projects. To qualify for funding, projects must have a total cost of under £250,000 (including VAT and professional costs).

The deadline for applications for the next round of funding is 31 August 2017.

More information here.

BBC Children in Need – Small Grants Programme (UK)

Not for profit organisations such as schools, registered charities, voluntary organisations, churches, and community interest groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 for projects that help children and young people experiencing illness, distress, abuse or neglect, disability, behavioural or psychological difficulties or deprivation.

The deadline for applications for the next round of funding is 1 September 2017.

More information here.

School Grants to Promote Physics (UK)

The Institute of Physics (IOP) provides grants of up to £600 for projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics and engineering in schools and colleges based in the UK, catering for students in the age range five to 19.

The deadline for applications for the next round of funding is 1 November 2017.

More information here.

Meetings of the Kings Heath Residents’ Forum Management Committee 2017/18

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Meetings of the Kings Heath Residents’ Forum management committee take place on the first Wednesday of each month. The dates for the next six months are:

  • Wednesday 6 September 2017
  • Wednesday 4 October 2017
  • Wednesday 1 November 2017
  • Wednesday 6 December 2017
  • Wednesday 3 January 2018
  • Wednesday 7 February 2018

Meetings start at 7pm and take place at Whitesmiths Croft Community Centre, Silver Street, Kings Heath.

Meetings of the Kings Heath Residents’ Forum Management Committee

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Meetings of the Kings Heath Residents’ Forum management committee take place on the first Wednesday of each month. The dates for the next six months are:

  • Wednesday 6 September 2017
  • Wednesday 4 October 2017
  • Wednesday 8 November 2017
  • Wednesday 6 December 2017
  • Wednesday 3 January 2018
  • Wednesday 7 February 2018

Meetings start at 7pm and take place at Whitesmiths Croft Community Centre, Silver Street, Kings Heath.

Kings Heath Street Festival location under discussion

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The organisers of the annual Kings Heath Street Festival announced on 10 July 2017 that it is to move from York Road to the the Parade car park in front of the old Kingsway cinema. A statement issued by the organisers explained that the move is necessary because ‘all events that take place on council land must conform to a set of new anti-terror safety guidelines’.

These guidelines are reported to require:

  • The installation of high impact vehicles or concrete barriers at all road entry access points
  • Security fencing surrounding the entire activity space whilst still allowing right of way access to businesses/residents
  • Bag searches at all entry points and controlled pedestrian access points.

The result, according to the statement, would be that ‘any activity on York Road would have to take place inside a ‘caged event space’ on the carriageway only. The pavements would have to remain outside of the security fencing to allow right of way to residents and business owners’. The statement went on to explain that the organisers had decided that this would be impractical.

There was a strong and sustained reaction against the plans on social media but the chair of the organising group, Kings Heath Business Improvement District (BID) board, said, ‘We understand that the decision to move the event has proved unpopular with some members of the public, however our number one priority is public safety’.

On 13 July 2017, the organisers issued a new statement. This said that the decision had been put on hold for 7 days ‘to allow plans for Kings Heath Street Festival to return its traditional home on York Road’. While some people on social media have taken this to mean that the Festival is definitely going to take place in York Road, the statement also says there is to be a ‘period of grace [to] re-address the possibility of a Festival on York Road’.

It appears, therefore, that the location has not yet been confirmed as York Road. A further announcement is expected soon.

UPDATED 3 August 2017. A statement issued by the organisers on 2 August announced that the 2017 Festival has been cancelled. The full statement can be read here.