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.

Big Lunch neighbourhood get-together 2017

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The Big Lunch is a simple idea from the Eden Project: that as many people as possible across the UK have lunch with their neighbours annually on a Sunday in June in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. This year the mass participation day is 18 June 2017. Read more at edenproject.com.

There are several groups in Kings Heath who get together with their neighbours for this annual event. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbours, make new friends and build community spirit.

You can keep life simple and hold the lunch in someone’s garden or head off to the local park.

If you want to close your street, you will have to get in touch with the local District Engineer’s Department. Contact Sajid Khan at Sajid.Khan@birmingham.gov.uk. You will be advised whether it is possible to close the street and if so what you have to do to get approval from the Council.

This includes getting public liability insurance, informing the three emergency services and consulting with your local councillors.

Wherever you decide you hold your local neighbourhood Big Lunch, it is a really worthwhile, enjoyable event.

Food stall in Kings Heath village square 15 April 2017

Helping the homeless

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Members of the local Sikh community have set up an occasional food stall in memory of George of Peacock Road. George was well-known in the neighbourhood and died suddenly earlier this year.

His family and friends have run two food stalls so far in the village square in March with more planned over the coming weeks. They prepare and offer cooked food with the overall aim of helping economically disadvantaged people. Those who would otherwise go hungry are given free food. Those who can afford it are asked to make a donation. All donations will be used to fund future food stalls and to provide clothing and other necessities for local homeless people.

The project is part of the Sikh principle of Seva which involves performing a service to the local community for the benefit of everybody.

Kings Heath Residents’ Forum gets results

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Two recent actions by Kings Heath Residents Forum (KHRF) members have achieved results.

BT Openreach premises in Howard Road East

A considerable amount of litter and fallen leaves had collected both on the frontage of the building and along the pavement side of the fence. A KHRF member contacted BT, explained that a Spring Clean was being organised in various sites and by various groups across Kings Heath. Would BT help by cleaning up the front of the premises in Howard Road East? Admittedly it’s a while since the Great British Spring Clean but the clean up outside the building has been completed.

Commercial waste on the High Street

Complaints were made about an accumulation of commercial waste behind retail premises on the High Street. It should have been in a closed container so that it could not be blown out into the street. The complaint was passed to the Environmental Health Regulation and Enforcement department and a Waste Enforcement Team visited the retailer. A member of the team explained the retailer’s legal responsibilities which hopefully means that this particular source of wind-blown litter has been stopped.

Thanks to Kate Smith of BT Openreach and the Waste Enforcement Team of Birmingham City Council for dealing with these issues so quickly.

Mayoral hustings in Kings Heath

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Residents are already receiving election material from candidates for the new post of West Midlands Mayor. The position will cover Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. These local authorities are going to be working together as a Combined Authority.

Kings Heath residents will have the chance to ask questions of the candidates for the job of Mayor at a hustings on Tuesday 25 April 2017 at 7.30 pm in the Baptist Church on Kings Heath High Street, opposite Asda.

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Birmingham air quality survey

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Birmingham City Council (BCC) wants to know whether air quality is important to you. In order to find out what residents think, BCC have launched an online survey:

https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/economy/birmingham-air-quality/

The survey is already open but will close on 3 April 2017.

The questionnaire is reasonably short – it should take less than 10 minutes to complete but it’s important that as many residents as possible complete it.