Birmingham Civic Society

Birmingham Trees for Life: Aldridge Road Recreation Ground
2017-11-30

Signpost Event: The Liveable City
2017-11-30 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
The Liveable City is a celebration of architecture and urban planning where central and local government, businesses, politicians and professionals take part in talks, seminars and debates.
The two-day event features seminars addressing the question of how to find new ways in which cities can become better places to live, work and play as well as increase quality of
life for everyone.
The event is organised by the Royal Danish Embassy in the UK in partnership with Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Find out more and book via Eventbrite.

Birmingham Trees for Life: Stirchley Park
2017-12-14

Unveiling of a Civic Society Blue Plaque to George Hunt [1892-1960] - Invitation Only
2017-12-21 13:00 - 14:30
On Thursday 21 December, 1 – 2.30pm we will be unveiling a Blue Plaque to George Hunt at St Peter’s Church Hall, Harborne. George Edward Hunt was a leading Arts and Crafts jewellery designer and maker who lived in Bull Street Harborne and had a studio in his garden. He is buried in St Peter’s churchyard, and 2017 is 125 years since his death.
He was nominated for a Blue Plaque by Philippa Russell, a local resident and an admirer of his work. We will be joined by Philippa for the unveiling, and hopefully the Lord Mayor, members of the Harborne Society, members of St Peter’s congregation, and the current and previous owners of his home in Bull Street, where the plaque will ultimately be installed.
Please note this is an invitation only event.

Birmingham Trees for Life: New Valley Country Park
2018-01-18

Signpost Event: HS2 Curzon Street Station Drop In
2018-01-23 11:00 - 15:00
This event is an opportunity for you to share your views on the design of the new HS2 Curzon Street Station.
The Midland Metro Alliance will also be in attendance to share details of their work to extend the tram network by approximately 34km helping to aid social and economic regeneration across the region.
This is a free drop in event.
Find the Exhibition Bus on the High Street near Marks & Spencer, 42 High Street, Birmingham City Centre B4 7SS.
For any questions get in touch with the HS2 team:
Email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Telephone 08081 434 434
www.gov.uk/hs2

Signpost Event: England China Business Forum Annual Dinner 2018
2018-01-23 18:00 - 21:30
Join England China Business Forum for their Annual Dinner on 23th January to celebrate both the New Year and the Chinese New Year of the Dog. They will be sharing their planned events for 2018, as well as updates and stimulating discussions on the impact of China’s Belt and Road policies on trade and investment opportunities.
Book here.

Birmingham Trees for Life: Oak Meadow, Yardley
2018-01-25
Visit the Birmingham Treees for Life website for further information.

Birmingham Trees for Life: Pype Hayes Park
2018-02-01
Visit the Birmingham Trees for Life website for further information.

Signpost Event: Step Together - Birmingham St Mary's Hospice
2018-02-01 - 2018-03-31
Join Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice and Step Together with people from across the region to walk in tribute to your loved ones.
Between 1 February and 31 March push yourself out of your comfort zone and take on our new virtual Step Together challenge, getting sponsored for every stride you take.
Walk it, jog it, skip it, hop it, it doesn’t matter, the choice is yours. Step out on your own or create a movement with family, friends, work mates or members of your community group, whatever it takes to keep going and achieve your steps goal.
#JoinTheMovement and let’s see how many times we can Step Together and take the 16 million steps needed to complete a lap of the world!
Sign up for FREE today
Sign up as an individual and pledge to raise a minimum of £25 in sponsorship to receive your own commemorative medal. Or why not go the extra mile and pledge to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship and you will receive a medal and Step Together t-shirt
Sign up a team of work colleagues or with your community group (min 3 per team) and pledge to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship to receive a commemorative medal each. Or why not go the extra mile and pledge to raise a minimum of £500 in sponsorship and you will all receive a medal and Step Together t-shirt.
How does it work?
Between Thursday 1st February and Saturday 31st March 2018 you have 8 weeks to complete as many steps as you can.
You choose your own personal steps target and build up the count however you want, whether its walking the kids to school, going for a lunchtime stroll at work or taking the stairs rather than the lift, every step you track will be added to our overall team total with the aim of reaching a minimum of 16 million steps in total – the equivalent of walking once around the world! Let’s see how many laps of the earth we can do!
How can you track your steps?
To make tracking your steps and fundraising easy and fun, we have joined forces with GivePenny, an exciting new fundraising platform that helps charities to launch new challenges like Step Together. Using GivePenny’s connection to the FitBit watch and FitBit smartphone app, you’ll be able to collect sponsorship for every step you track, as well as one-off donations.
To set up your GivePenny tracking and fundraising page HERE
Alternatively, you can track your steps offline via:

GPS watch or any other wearable fitness device
A smartphone fitness tracking app
Pedometer (available to purchase below if needed)

How to get your medal
To claim your bespoke Step Together medal we ask you to have submitted your total number of steps and to have reached your chosen sponsorship target by Saturday 31stMarch 2018.
You can pay in your sponsorship money by sending a cheque to the Hospice, bringing in cash to the Hospice or by paying online by simply clicking on the following link:
DONATE HERE
More information about the challenge can be found on the FAQs document.
Step Together is available to everyone whether you are taking part in memory of a loved one, to support your local Hospice, to get fit and healthy or just for fun. By signing up today you are helping to deliver a future where the best experience of living is available to everyone leading up to and at the end of life.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the events team on 0121 472 1191 or email events@birminghamhospice.org.uk

People Places Pride: Private Tour of the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre
2018-02-13 10:00 - 12:00
Join Birmingham Civic Society for the first in our centenary year series of People,Places,Pride events:

A private, guided tour of the Museum Collections Centre, the storage facility for Birmingham Museums Trust.

The 1.5-hectare site houses all of the objects that aren’t currently on display. Among the thousands of objects stored are steam engines, sculptures, an entire collection of Austin, Rover and MG motorcars, a red telephone box and even a Space Hopper. The contrasting mix of objects and behind-the scenes atmosphere makes the Centre an intruiging place to explore.
Over tea and coffee, the guide will welcome everyone to the site, followed by a facilitated tour of the main warehouse area where you will be free to explore at your leisure for two hours.
This event is open to members for £10pp and non members, £15pp.
Book your ticket via Eventbrite

Birmingham Trees for Life: Gilbertstone Recreation Ground, Sheldon
2018-02-14
Visit the Birmingham Trees for Life website for further inf0rmation.

Unveiling of Blue Plaque to Sir Gilbert Barling
2018-02-16 13:00 - 15:00
Join us at the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to our first Chairman
As part of our Centenary celebrations we are commissioning three new Blue Plaques to commemorate key founder members of the Society. The first of these will be to Sir Gilbert Barling CB CBE FRCS [1855-1940], the first Chairman of Birmingham Civic Society from the time of its inauguration in 1918 until his death in 1940.
In his professional life, he was Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham for twenty years. He was Professor of Surgery 1893 – 1912 and during the 1920s he took a lead role in launching the scheme, which ultimately established the hospital teaching centre and medical school close to the main university buildings. Sir Gilbert Barling also held various senior surgical appointments at Birmingham General Hospital and after retirement became its president.
The unveiling will form part of the official launch of the heritage strand of our Centenary History programme and will take place on Friday 16 February, 1pm – 2.30pm, at St Augustine’s Church, Edgbaston, the church he attended and where his funeral was held. The plaque will then be put up on his nearby former home at 6 Manor Road.
When: Friday 16 February 2018, 1pm – 2.30pm
Where: The Parish Church of St Augustine of Hippo, Edgbaston B16 9JN
We do hope that you are able to join us, please RSVP to Penny by 12 February to confirm.

Signpost Event: Review and Preview - The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
2018-02-20 18:00 - 20:00
You are invited to a Review and Preview evening at the Barber Institute from 6pm on Tuesday 20 February.
Join Nicola Kalinsky, Barber Director, and colleagues to celebrate the highlights from 2017, be tantalised by exhibitions and events planned for later this year, and commemorate the first birthday of our Barber Association of supporters.
This will also be an opportunity to enjoy an exclusive evening viewing of the forthcoming exhibition The Rhythm of Light: Scottish Colourists from the Fleming Collection. This display is the first time these vibrantly beautiful early 20th century works have been shown together in the West Midlands.
We do hope you will join us the team for this delightful evening, and consider joining the Association as a Member or Patron.
Please confirm your attendance with David Powell, Memberships Manager, by Friday 2 February on 0121 414 7598 or email association@barber.org.uk
Refreshments served on arrival from 6pm with presentations commencing from 6.30pm. This event is free to attend.
*George Leslie Hunter, Villefranche, 20th century © Fleming-Wyfold Art Foundation

Signpost Event: Chinese New Year with the Farmers Choir from China
2018-02-27 19:30 - 22:30
The Symphony Hall is also celebrating Chinese New Year with the Farmers Choir from China on the evening of Tuesday 27th February.
The Choir consisting of 50 farmers from the Miao minority will be performing on the Symphony Hall stage, with audience members seated on the risers and in the choir stalls.
Tickets are free and the performance will be fantastic! Please see https://www.thsh.co.uk/event/xiaoshuijing-farmers-choir for more details and to book the tickets.

Birmingham Trees for Life: Glebe Farm Recreation Ground
2018-03-07
